Lost-the Final Season Ep 2: Just Saying….

I was going to do one of these last week for the premiere, but then I forgot all about it.

If Sayid has been taken by some darkness that will vanish the Sayid we know once it reaches his heart… because it happened to Claire……….

…..Then why would Jacob tell Hurley to take Sayid’s body to the temple so he could be saved by the others? He has to have known about this “overtaking darkness” right?  Didn’t Ben got saved by the same water? Shouldn’t he had gone all “wrong turn (the movie)” on us like Claire?  Didn’t we see her last inside Jacob’s cabin with daddy Shephard, whom I thought was (Jacob then, but) really Smokey the Monster–dead body possesser? Is Smokey the “overtaking darkness” or is there yet another smokey around other-town? I mean, I thought Jacob was going to possess Sayid’s body for some mano a mano with Smokey Locke.  Just saying….

Oh Lost. So much mumbo-jumbo, so little time….

Quality Assessment: A Single Man

Okay, I’m going to talk a bit about the production values of the movie first. This is a movie directed by a fashion designer after all, so it’s worth discussing. If you don’t want to bother, then skip down to *story*

The two most prominent things about A SINGLE MAN are:  it’s score–by Abel Korzeniowski (the amazing Stephen Trask, who did the music for HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, was a music executive consultant per the credits). Only on occasions do I ever actually *hear* the music of a film. Most of the times, I’m so engrossed in the story that I don’t even remember hearing music: the quiet kind playing on the background for dramatic effect. The loud kind often use for montages? those I do hear because, well, there’s no one talking at the moment.  But now and then, the score of a movie is so embedded into the DNA of the film that you cannot isolated. It is one with the visuals and it really enhances what you are watching. Some examples are: TITANIC, SIGNS, THERE WILL BE BLOOD, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIM BUTTON, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, and now A SINGLE MAN.  Which makes it a crying shame that the academy didn’t nominate it.

The second thing is the art direction of the film.  A SINGLE MAN is the most aesthetically flawless film of 2009. You can tell Tom Ford directed this movie, and that the team responsible for the production design, is the same from tv show MAD MEN because that show is really something to look at. Every single frame of this movie was flawless; a lot of straight, clean lines, symmetrical shapes, etc. The clothes, the designs, the styles, the cars, the houses, the furniture, the bottles of liquor… nothing was amiss. Even things that had dirt or dust or smudges, you could tell that those smudges were done precisely to look the way Tom Ford intended for them to look.  And that’s not all, he employs a color palette trick that really works wonders for the movie: he shoots the movie in a dry, ashen shade that strips almost all colors down until they look sort of grayish. But then, for scenes where Colin Firth’s character feels a bit of life stimulation (he’s depressed) Tom Ford makes all the color’s flush, as if everything comes to life. It is a very neat trick the helps us the viewers, really feel what Colin is feeling and connect with him further.  As far as music and style, Tom Ford has made himself proud. And now the…..

*STORY*

A SINGLE MAN is an adaptation of the 1964 Christopher Isherwood novel of the same name. It deals with a gay, British professor–George Falconer played by Colin Firth–living in southern california in the early 60s. The whole story takes place within one single day in the life of George.  He recently lost his partner of 16 years in a tragic car accident, and the loss has left him depressed. We meet the partner–Jim, played by Matthew Goode, who I must say, is a very handsome man–through flashbacks/daydreams George has of their life together.  Jim’s death has left George with no purpose in life and he’s considering suicide.

It really is a seemingly normal *day in the life* story; the twist is that it isn’t normal, at least not to the audience because we can see that George is planning on killing himself, we can see how Jim’s absence is deteriorating him. The people around him, do notice some changes, but they all think he’s just under the weather for the most part, with the exception of Kenny (played by Nicholas Hoult, the kid from ABOUT A BOY. Completely unrecognisable! I saw the whole thing and didn’t even notice it was him until a friend pointed out), who gets the sense that there’s something wrong with George and decides to keep close to him.

Julianne Moore has about two small scenes and then one big one with Colin Firth.  As always, she’s fantastic (when will this woman win an oscar?!). She expertly show us a woman who resents to an extent, that the one man she might have truly love and could have made her happy is her gay best friend, but can’t do nothing about it. On the other hand, she keeps herself together by sheer force of will and only lets us see the cracks one peak at the time.  Colin Firth is also fantastic at playing George. He’s a very quiet, polite character who keeps getting tempted by fate, but is so proper that he will always choose to do the right thing (he’s British also, so you know he grew up with the *go by the rules* mentality).  It is a very understated role that on someone else’s hands would have been ruined. It would have told us nothing. Colin gives George so much life, he really projects his inner sadness/suffering, with just a look, the way he cocks his head, they way he touches something; only a brilliant actor could do this.  Nicholas Hoult, though his role calls only for him to be the naive, maybe gay young man who senses his professor is gay and wants to connect with someone like him, etc. I think he did all right, he doesn’t comes off as too shy or to eager.  Matthew Goode has the least dramatic role, as he’s only there to ease George’s pain, for George only daydreams of their happiest times together.

The movie is very good overall, I think because there’s not much in terms of drama that the story offers, it may feel like it lacks something.  I was worried that being directed by Tom Ford, he would only care about the look of the movie and not have the skills to give it a heart, creating a hollow piece of art, but I think he’s done an excellent job in both counts, and I’m very curious to see what he would do with meatier story; something darker.  Grade: A-

Video of the Week: Jay Z’s “On To The Next One”

A rap video with striking/stylish images, that are conveing messages way above the standard booty-shake/money/gungs/hos stock of the rap video trade? A hypnotic beat? Cool use of B&W to signal that this ain’t your average rap video in case you didn’t get the point?  Must be Jay Z at work yet again.

Oh and the song ain’t half bad either and a surprising follow up to EMPIRE STATE OF MIND too.

Quality Assessment: Crazy Heart

It’s been a while since I wrote a movie review. 2010 has not started on a good note…if I am to beat last year’s 84 films record. The beginning of the year is always slow anyhow, so we shall see.

I really don’t have much to say about CRAZY HEART, so this review may not be helpful in terms of wanting to know more about the movie than what the official synopsis tells you.

The plot is the most standard biopic (though this is fictional and not base on a real life person) stuff around: we meet an old age singer past his golden years, goes about life with a bottle and cigarettes always by his side, meets girl, there’s an even that turns him around, gets clean up, recaptures some of that golden years luster, happily ever after.  There’s actually not that much dramatic stuff; everything about this movie is just small stuff, it is all about the acting. I had forgotten that Colin Farrell plays a country music star here, and he ain’t half bad. He and Jeff Bridges did all their singing (very good). Recently oscar nominees Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jeff Bridges do all the heavy lifting, though it is Jeff’s movie.  Nothing exceptional really, but they do have some good scenes where through some expressions, or the way they make their characters react-sometimes in ways you weren’t expecting, that let you see why they were cited by the academy.  Not unforgettable, but not bad either. Grade: B

A Few Lingering Points on the 100 Favorite Films

Before reading this post, please check out my list of 100 favorite films of the decade so you can have a better sense of the bulletpoints below. Thanks.

Okay, let’s now dive in:

• Animation: Fellow blogger Pace Miller over @ About writing, was a bit surprise I had included so many animated films, specifically on my top 24.  As I said to him, I believe that even though animation has done a great job over the past 20/30 years, it has grown to a point that I think the medium has leaped over live action in terms of quality.  That was explicitly witnessed during the last decade, with the work of anime King Hayao Miyazaki, and of course Pixar just to name two.
• Mystic River: Yes, one of the great films of the aughts, and yet I couldn’t bring myself to include it because, well, I hated the end. I know is just a movie (so shut it), but I just couldn’t get past the fact that Tim Robbins character was unjustly murdered and then Kevin Bacon knew it and didn’t do anything about it. He was like: “oh well.” And Laura Linney soothing away Sean Penn as if nothing? That to me was just disgusting. After Sean killed Tim, I couldn’t feel anymore sympathy for him.  Because of that, though I acknowledge the movie was great, I just hate it.  Same thing happened with MONSTER. I though the movie was great, but then I hated Christina Ricci’s character so much; she’s the reason Charlize’s became such a fucked up person, that I couldn’t like the movie afterwards.  So that’s the reason they weren’t included.  Now I ask you: is there a movie you think is great, but then a character’s actions ruins it for you to the point you dislike the movie?
• Jude Apatow and comedy in general: I really don’t know what happened here.  I don’t want to be Academy snobbish, we all know how they never show any love to comedies, but looking back, I really didn’t give much love to comedies on my list. Which is odd, because Jude Apatow really changed how comedies are produce now, making them more natural and close to real life, which made them funnier, and sort of reaching a level beyond comedy. Not even one of my favorites: Ben Stiller’s TROPIC THUNDER, made it. I did consider some, like THE 40YR OLD VIRGIN, but somehow all the ones I wrote down, were beaten down by the dramas, scifi, animated, action…..films.  Do I subconsciously think less of comedy? I may have to look into this.
• Avatar: I know I’ve sort of trashing AVATAR ever since I saw it and it became the movie to beat during the awards.  It isn’t that I didn’t like it, I did….from a technical point of view. The movie is an awesome popcorn rollercoaster, and the visuals are cool as shit. There’s no way that movie would had made it to my fave-anything-list. But I’ll say it again, the story is lame and it just doesn’t have any heart. Very much like 300 and anything else that only worries itself with wow-ing audiences with effects: it’s hollow. I love effects, but nothing gets to me more than good story-telling. If it doesn’t have a heart, I don’t care much about its razzle-dazzle.
• The first half of the decade(‘04 and down) vs the second half (‘05 and up): breaking it down to each film; including each entry for parts 1, 2, 3 of series included here, the first half has 56 entries, while the second has and even 50. It looks as though the second half was more prominent from the bottom up, past the halfway point, but then the first half of the decade seems to rule over my top 24.  Does it mean (I think) the first half had better films? I guess in a way, but by the 56/50 split (some of them sequels), it is fair to say that there was a balance of good films through out all ten years, don’t you think?

2000-2009: 100 Favorite Films (24 to 1)

To check out films 49 to 25 click here.

24) Memento (2000)

One of the most influential movies of the decade, MEMENTO was a sort of simple story made brilliant because of the non-linear way it was told.  By going backwards, the audience share its main character’s *condition* thus making us connect with him in a deeper level, as we were as lost about his memories as he was.  An amazing thriller that set the stage foreverything director Christopher Nolan was going to throw our way for the next ten years.

23) Thirteen (2003)

Kids nowadays are completely out of control.  Following the footsteps of the super-controversial Larry Clark film KIDS, THIRTEEN is an eye-opening, relentless piece of indie cinema that should be mandatory viewing for middle school kids across the country. I betcha they’ll think twice about wanting to be ”grown” them little basterds.

22) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

One of the most dazzling, breathtaking spectacles of the decade.  CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON made you believe people could float about and battle on tree-tops.  It wasn’t all just spectacle either, the story had substance and the acting was top notch.

21) Cidade de Deus (City of God) (2002)

This searing adaptation of the book of the same name, about gangs in a Rio de Janeiro slum, through (mostly) the eyes of a boy that would grow to be a gang leader; CITY OF GOD has regularly been listed as one of the films you *must see before you die,* and with good reason.  It is a knockout.

20) Persepolis (2007)

Forget SIN CITY, 300, and even WATCHMEN.  This animated adaptation of Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel, is the best graphic novel made film yet.  That it didn’t win the best animated picture Oscar 2 yrs ago was just wrong.

19) El Espinazo del Diablo (The Devil’s Backbone) (2001)

This slow burn of a gothic horror film, was my personal introduction to the fantastic genius of Guillermo Del Toro (he’s like the new Tim Burton in a way). And like everything that Guillermo touched during the aughts, it isn’t your average horror film. He has a way of making things more elegant, more tender in a strange way; you dread and care for the demons of his movies, demons that seem to always be connected to war.

18)  Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain (Amelie) (2001)

One of the most gorgeous, enjoyable, and most lovable films…well, ever. Amelie was one of the sweetest gift cinema has given audiences. And it introduce us all to the wonder that is Audrey Tautou.

17) Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

One of animation’s God (the extraordinaire Hayao Miyazaki) most creative and ambitious film, HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE is an arresting and emotionally uplifting thrill ride, that is damn nearly flawless.

16) The Incredibles (2004)

The first of two Pixar films robbed of an Oscar nomination for best picture. THE DARK KNIGHT may be the granddaddy of superhero films (as I myself called it) but THE INCREDIBLES is it’s grand-father’s father’s daddy.

15) Moulin Rouge! (2001)

There’s so much chaos thrown at you during the first 10 minutes or so of MOULIN ROUGE! that you either lose interest or continue on intrigued.  If you continue on, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most visually amazing films of the decade and a decadent musical (and this is coming from someone who detest musicals). Nicole Kidman is a wilting flower hiding under a smoldering temptress’ can-can outfit, while Ewan Mcgregor love-sick penniless writer gives what may be, the most affecting and most powerful portray of someone truly madly deeply in love.  By the time the curtain falls and his heart breaks, yours breaks right along with his. 

14) Kill Bill (Vol 1 & Vol 2) (2003, 2004)

INGLORIOUS BASTERDS may be getting all the attention now, while Quentin purists may cite either PULP FICTION, RESERVOIR DOGS or even JACKIE BROWN as his best, but I beg to differ. KILL BILL is the Q man’s magnum opus.  No other film of his combines his love for western, martial arts, b-cinema, whip smart dialogue, overlong speeches and/or conversations/discussions, and his truly natural understanding of how to write a female character without any sort of condescending and/or objectifying involved, into one unholy mix of feverish, visual stimulation.  Uma Thurman as “the Bride” plays the role of her life, and she really dives headlong into it with gusto. She should have been nominated and won, specially for the way her rage gives way to heartbreak during VOL 2 final act, once she discovers her daughter is alive.  VOL 1 may be all about the action and therefore the quiet moments are less appreciated, but VOL 2 is the complete inverse of that notion.  This 4 hours long epic burns with mad-talent.

13) A Very Long Engagement (2004)

I know some people will prolly think AMELIE and ENGAGEMENT should switch places on this list, and if you are one of them? Then you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about so shut up.  A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT takes everything that made AMELIE such a brilliant movie, and made it even better by adding darkness to it (in this case, the ugliness of war). A darkness that was expertly balanced by even more doses of heart-stirring-longing as Audrie Tautou (she could make you watch anything) character’s searches and searches and never gives up, until she finds her lover because she knows in her heart that he’s alive.  Because otherwise, she wouldn’t be alive. 

12) Volver (2006)

For a few seconds when I got to this entry, I thought I had completely forgotten about Almodovar’s ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER and I panicked.  But that was released at the end of 1999 so it is ineligible here (phew!). Do watch it if you haven’t though, it is a masterpiece.  And so is VOLVER.  Of all the amazing movies he released during the aughts, VOLVER takes the cake.  Even people I know that dislike subtitles, can’t get enough of this movie; it is that good!  Penelope Cruz has never been better, and the story of mothers and daughters, their trials and tribulations in a men’s world, is just brilliant.

11) Monsters Inc. (2001)

This is my second favorite Pixar film of all times.  I can’t really talk about this movie for personal reasons my lawyers forbid me to discuss here, but it is flawless and you owe it to yourself, no matter your age, to see it and fall in love with it.

10) Hedwing and the Angry Inch (2001)

I’ve already praised the soundtrack to the heavens on my 100 favorite albums list. Now here’s the movie that along with MOULIN ROUGE! revitalized the movie-musical during the summer of 2001.  Only, by sheer rock & roll, balls-out fierceness, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH is better. 60s/70s purists will bark at me for saying this, but this is the ultimate rock-film ever. The writing, the music, the acting, the set pieces, the visuals (amazing animated sequences!!), everything about this movie rocks!

9) Children of Men (2006)

The second most shocking snubbed film of the decade (so angry!! fucking critics don’t know shit!) during the awards season, CHILDREN OF MEN was by far the very best film of 2006; untouchable. After taking HARRY POTTER to the heavens, Alfonso Cuaron gave us one of the most brilliant (dystopian) science fiction films ever, right alongside BLADE RUNNER. Julianne Moore–can’t even talk about her character, I’m still in shock, Clive Owen acting the hell out of his part by way of feelings, expressions, and how the hard-edged of his character starts to crack. The directing, oh man those long, single shots are just amazing in ways you cannot, I repeat, cannot experience by going to Pandora.  The depiction of the world, to me, one of the most close to a probability of the future.  Specially because for a futuristic film, it didn’t bombard us with gadgets; there were some, but nothing fully unrealistic.  Humans may think themselves ahead of the curve, but look back at the past films of this genre? Are we close to any of all that technology? No. We are not running, we are crawling and CHILDREN OF MEN seems to have gotten that right in terms of futuristic vision.  I could continued on, breaking this movie down and making a case for it, but no need. Just watch it if you haven’t and let it sink into you.

8) Brokeback Mountain (2005)

All that pointless talk about how *brave* Heath and Jake were to make this movie aside, whether gay or straight or whatever, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN was simply one of the most saddest, romantic dramas ever. The score really did help to set the tone here, in the same way James Horner’s musical work helped TITANIC sail away back in 1997.  Sometimes you forget how crucial music is to a movie.  Ang Lee saw and created something no one had any idea it would be this good, and would make fans even of bigots (though not many will right out admit it). That last shot of the shirt/jacket and the look on Heath’s face, really stays with you forever.

7) Spirited Away (2001)

Arguably, Hayao Miyazaki’s magnum opus in a career filled with them. It is the first anime film to win an Oscar for a reason folks. A kindred spirit to Lewis Carroll’s ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, SPIRITED AWAY is a marvel to behold, a movie that speaks volumes of a child’s rites of passage into adulthood, and a timeless visual masterpiece for the whole family.

6) 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days (2007)

Remember how I said that REVOLUTIONARY ROAD felt like a punch to the gut? 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS, 2 DAYS feels just the same and it’s even more shocking. Unfolding almost in real time, it tells the tale of two friends working together to secure an illegal abortion for one of them, during the time of communist Romania, when abortions were criminalized.  To tell you anything else would be a crime, but this movie will shake your insides.  Fearless filmmaking at its very, very best.

5) Mulholland Drive (2001)

And speaking of the best fearless filmmaking around, MULHOLAND DR. is not only David Lynch’s masterpiece–without question the top film he will be remember for–but also Naomi Watts introduction the world at large, and her finest moment as an actress. This movie is a nightmarish monster that will leave you gasping for more, will fuck your brain in ways you never though possible and you won’t even mind, because it is so freaking good.  It is all a dream and at the same time it is all very real and highly dangerous. David Lynch dizziest story, and after it’s over, all you can’t do is sit back and simply exclaim: wow.

4) WALL-E (2008)

You must have known WALL-E was going to be included here at some point. My all time fave Pixar film. I saw this a record, 11x at the theatre during that summer, and every time felt like the first. It really seems impossible to pick a *best* Pixar film, but WALL-E is perfection in its more pure-computer-animated form. How it said so much without much dialogue is an undeniable achievement. After THE INCREDIBLES, this is the second Pixar film unjustly shut out of an Oscar nomination for best picture.

3) There Will Be Blood (2007)

I could marry Daniel Day-Lewis.  He’s the most talented actor I know of. I cannot think of any other male that can match his natural range. He was the sole reason GANGS OF NEW YORK was watchable and seemed better than what it was; take him out and that movie falls apart. His acting here alone could help THERE WILL BE BLOOD rank in the top 5 of most lists (professional or otherwise), but it just so happens that Paul Thomas Anderson crafted one of the most vital films of the decade if not ever. Everything about THERE WILL BE BLOOD: from the oil as root of all evil and bringer of the ugly within men, to the black heart of Daniel Plainview, to the holier than thou posturing of Eli Sunday, to their decades long confrontation, to Daniel’s utter hatred for humans that spilled over even to his relationship with his son–a son he appeared to have had genuine love for when young–to the power of the score (by radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood), to the scope of the film, to the cinematography, to those 15 opening minutes of silent film……. well, this is a monster of an influential film that was deemed a timeless classic, 15 minutes into it.

2) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Okay, we’ve arrived at the most shocking snubbed to a film come award season, during the aughts.  This movie should have been nominated and won, Jim Carrey (his very best performance ever) should have been nominated as well, Kate should have won her first Oscar for this….everthing about this movie should have been nominated and then won.  One of the most wholly original, and highly creative movies ever produced. The story is so strange, the narrative completely frak, not even a trip down the rabbit hole could get this crazy…. in the end this should have never work, but work it did, and how wonderful and mesmerizing, and emotionally captivating it was.  Like THERE WILL BE BLOOD, this is what the art of cinema is all about.

1) The Lord of the Rings (2001, 2002, 2003)

The biggest movie, epic, action, adventure, story… you name it; THE LORD OF THE RINGS is hands down the movie of the decade.  A marvelous, technical wizardry, awe-inspiring, breathtaking journey to there and back, that even managed to give us one of the most simplest and touching love stories (Aragon & Arwen), and the ultimate battle between good vs evil. Gandalf, Gollum, Frodo, and everyone else had been forever imprinted into the subconscious of the world thanks to this trilogy, based on the timeless classic work by J.R.R. Tolkien.  Though it deviates a bit here and there from the books, the trilogy also marks the best adaptation of any book ever and it even surpasses the book in terms of quality (Tolkien purists, put the pitchforks down!).  No matter what he does in the future, Peter Jackson will forever be remember for these films. This is his legacy. But can I just point out that for all its scope, for all the hardship the characters go through, and how the focus is on Frodo, this films–the story itself, really belongs to Samwise Gamgee?  He is the anchor, the heart and soul of the whole thing, and there’s so much going on throughout, that you don’t really arrive at this conclusion until the second half of the last film. During this part, Sean Astin really gives his all to playing Sam, and it is a pity he wasn’t recognized for it the same way Ian Mckellen was for his Gandalf.

The epic, fantasy-film trilogy granddaddy of all epic, fantasy-film trilogies.

For a few lingering questions about this list, including some obvious omissions click here.

2000-2009: 100 Favorite Films (49 to 25)

To check out films 74 to 50 click here.

49) 28 Days Later (2002)

Came out like a shot of adrenaline into the undead heart of the zombie genre, revitalizing it and leaving a trail of good (Dawn of the Dead 2004) and bad (House of the Dead 2003) on its wake, not to mention its very own sequel 28 WEEKS LATER, which wasn’t as awesome, but quite good on its own right.  The fact that 28 DAYS LATER isn’t even about zombies, but living people infected with a virus, makes it even more fascinating.  This was also scary as shit!

48) Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Don Cheadle’s best performance, in one of the saddest and must brutal depictions of human brutality.

47) The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

This real life storyof an ordinary man, sticking to his guts for the sake of his child and making it, is simply one of the most inspirational movies ever.  Will Smith was a likable actor who became a good actor, but with this? He graduated to great actor.  Even if he hasn’t given us anything as memorable since. Though he still remains extremely likable: the planet’s last standing movie star.

46) The Constant Gardener (2005)

Ralph Fiennes has played creeps for such a long time, that seeing him played this love-sick, shy, quiet character, who’s delivered a blow by fate and takes circumstances upon his own hands, was a complete shock of sorts.  Rachel Weisz, perky, feisty character haunts him and the movie all along, and the last moments of the film stay with you long after is over.

45) Gegen Die Wand (Head On) (2004)

Two differently, fucked up people make a deal that can only end bad, and then clash against each other as the build up of their inner frustrations come rushing out. Searing.

44) The Jason Bourne Trilogy (2002, 2004, 2007)

In the end, I couldn’t break them individually, even if the second and third chapters are better than the first.  But together, they are probably the very best action-packed-story of the decade. And that Matt Damon! He went from Ben Affleck’s better half, to Tom Ripley to well, a man that could kick your ass! He’ll forever be Jason.  Now, I always carry a rolled-up magazine with me in case I need to administer an impromptu beat down.

43) Mysterious Skin (2004)

This indie film about two different emotional/psychological reactions on the aftermath of sexual abuse on two kids (by their coach) is a well written, superbly acted (the amazing Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Brady Corbet) movie.  It’s kinda hard to describe, but its impact sneaks up on you, and you really feel for its two main characters.  A sort of similar film: LITTLE CHILDREN–amazing on its own right–would have taken this spot, but MYSTERIOUS SKIN is just superior.

42) La Mala Educacion (Bad Education) (2004)

Continuing the trend of sexual abuse–this time by a priest–Pedro Almodovar’s LA MALA EDUCACION is one of his darkest films and in true Almodovar fashion, full of twisty turns.  Mostly known because of Gael Garcia Bernal’s dragqueen getup, this is another Almodovar classic.

41) XXY (2007)

There’s no sexual abuse here (why do I seem to be grouping movies by sort of genre on this list?) but there’s emotional repercussions tied to teens dealing with their sexual awakening. XXY deals with the reactions: by her family, neighbors, town folks, and doctors, over an intersex teen and her family’s pondering whether let a doctor operate on her to reassigned her organs, or simply let her be.  In the hands of hollywood this movie would have been a disaster, heck, it wouldn’t have even be made, but the Argentinian team behind this illuminating piece of great filmmaking, give us, probably the most natural portray of someone dealing with this condition without taking sides on the issue.  They even managed to shed some lights on many other issues with equal touch. 

40) The Dark Knight (2008)

BATMAN BEGINS was an amazing reboot of the franchise Tim Burton started and Joel Schumacher destroyed.  But it seems that film has been erased off people’s memories the second THE DARK KNIGHT premiered.  Buoyed by the buzz surrounding Heath Ledger’s Joker take (and sadly, his passing) the film broke records the world over because it was the perfect balance of popcorn action, and brainy sociopolitical commentary worthy of award recognition.  It was the rare movie that appealed to people who like both: dumb and smart summer fare, from kids to senior citizens.  Some now say it’s overrated, but almost a year and a half later, THE DARK KNIGHT remains the granddaddy of superhero films.

39) Into the Wild (2007)

I was so angry that this film didn’t receive the attention it deserved during award season.  Sean Penn had been quietly honing his skills as a director with each film, and here he gives us something so expressive, so grand and at the same time so personal.  I’m too young to have kids (well, I’m not ten years old, but you know what I mean) and this film really makes you worry sick for Emile Hirsch’s character, and then you remember that this is based on a real life story, and you feel even more horrible for real life Christopher McCandless’ family.  Emile’s acting here is superb.  With nothing but the simplest of expressions and body language, he projects his character’s sense of freedom, his need to live and breathe the world, and it all feels so palpable, you are left devastated at movie’s end.  He and oscar nominee (very well deserved) Hal Holbrook had me sobbing like a baby. I loved this movie so much, but I was left so sadden by it, that I haven’t been able to see it again.

38) King Kong (2005)

THE DARK KNIGHT was a big event movie, KING KONG was huge! It may have not made as much money as predicted (what is wrong with you people?!) but the sheer greatness of this film is undeniable.  Leave it to Peter Jackson to remake KING KONG and make it (arguably) the best version of it there is.  You truly feel for this oversize gorilla, but all the credit must go to the class-act that is Naomi Watts. Her show of emotions for KONG is what makes us care so much for him.  Also the action is relentless, specially the KONG vs T-Rex x 3.  And the pit scene? One of the most disturbing, crawling-out-of-my-skin-make-it-stop scenes ever!

37) Irreversible (2002)

Oh God! Perhaps the most controversial, visceral, disturbing, WTF?! I-wanna-look-away-but-can’t-take-my-eyes-off movie of the decade.  I haven’t seen Lars Von Trier’s ANTICHRIST (the other most controversial movie of the decade) so I don’t know who’s top, but ANTICHRIST has to be very, very visceral to be able to top IRREVERSIBLE.  Lots of people hated this movie, and with good reason, but as ugly and in your face as it may be, this is what they call *bravura filmmaking* at its most raw and fearless.  I can’t even talk about the plot.  Like MEMENTO before it, IRREVERSIBLE uses a backwards, non-linear narrative, and the camera work can get sickening; mostly at the beginning (the first 15 minutes give or take) when it moves on a spiral direction, and you either adjust to it, or you get dizzy and barf.  But the story grabs you, oh it grabs you all right, and it punches you over and over, until you feel like you are there, experiencing the ugly alongside its characters.  The manic, music (created by one half of Daft Punk) also seems to screw itself into your brain, helping the sickening feeling along. Not for everyone, but something that you have to experience at least once. It burns itself into the back of your eyeballs forever.

36) OldBoy (2003)

Okay, what’s going on? I didn’t even noticed I subconsciously grouped movies by sort of genre! weird. Like IRREVERSIBLE, OLD BOY is more fearless, disturbing filmmaking, only this time it comes from South Korea not France.  The story of a man abducted and kept in the dark about the why and how-comes of his captivity for 15 years(!) only to suddenly and without explanation, is set free.  What happens when he’s out is what makes this another OMG! WTF?! movie you have to see.

35) Requiem For A Dream (2000)

Fuck no! I would use this space here to acknowledge that REQUIEM FOR A DREAM is a sickening, darker than dark, tour de force indie film about junkies that just don’t know how to quit, and would go to hell and burn if necessary for their fix, and a visual experience unlike anything else, but I would never, ever see this movie again.

34) Sympathy For Lady Vengeance (2005)

OLDBOY may be a bit darker and more of the fave when it comes to THE VENGEANCE TRILOGY, but SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE is slightly superior, mostly out of the fact that (like all good South Korean films worth their salt) it takes its off-the-center-comedy/dark sarcasm to even better use. LADY is a woman you do not want to fuck with.

33) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Of all the HARRY POTTER films, none reaches the heights and transcends mere popcorn values, to become something utterly moving and just unforgettable than PRISONER OF AZKABAN. Hiring the genius of Alfonso Cuaron was the very best decision the people behind the franchise ever did, second only to their impeccable taste for the right cast, for the right roles, through out the whole series.  This here is the (so far) highpoint of the franchise; the moment they stopped being kids films and became adult while remaining wholesome.  The one film of the series worthy of being called: art.

32) Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

I was tempted to group this with its counterpart FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, but as good as FLAGS is, IWO JIMA was just leagues above it.  Who would have thought?  Ken Watanabe is magnificent here, the whole cast is, and the movie makes the Japanese men trapped in that island with no help coming to them, relatable and human.  This is arguably the diamond on Clint Eastwood’s aughts crown.

31) Billy Elliot (2000)

Stephen Daldry has directed 3 movies and has been nominated for an Oscar for every one of them. Quite the achievement don’t you think?  Still, his best remains BILLY ELLIOT. This is like LOVE ACTUALLY, but in a completely different kind of way.  You just can’t dislike this movie, and Jamie Bell (it was hard for me not to call him “Billy”) give such a winning performance full of heart, and how about that temper tantrum by way of stomping (the yard) scene? Amazing! And the remarkable Mrs. Wesley–er, I mean Julie Walters, is just the right amount of sugar and spice.  Ballet and working class tension had never been married so successfully. Those Brits at it again!

30) Black Hawk Down (2001)

I’m not one that goes crazy for war films (unless is TROPIC THUNDER which I’m still scratching my head at the fact that it didn’t make this list?! I love that movie! Oops! Sorry to spoil that, whoever…), I mean there’s a few I like but not very many, and not enough to put in any best/favorite list. BLACK HAWK DOWN (and now THE HURT LOCKER) is that exception.  I haven’t watch it in a long while so I can’t quite recall the plot exactly, but I know that this movie bombarded me with *you are there!* action and just the sheer brutality of war…of any kind.  And for a movie that had such a huge cast of actors, not one felt like a *token* anything.  You knew who everyone was, and you care for every single one of them.  As far as war films go, this to me is a masterpiece.

29) Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Jai Ho! Is there anyone out there who can’t think of this movie without having Jai Ho! immediately play in their heads? Anyone please correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems to me that SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE may hold the title as the most awarded film in history worldwide. At least the decade. I can’t think of a single award this movie didn’t win.  And you know what? deservedly so.  I could be a cynic and say that the movie was deliberately constructed in such way, and with the *awww* cutest cast, in the most *how horrible! I wanna hug them!* situations, just so that it would tug at your heartstrings, before the big, bright, happy ending lifted your spirit, and had you feeling good about the world. But it wasn’t. It just so happen that you felt that way while watching it, and with everything happening in the world, this underdog story of hardship with the big, bright, happy ending was exactly what the world needed. One more time: Jay Ho!  

28) Le Scaphandre Et Le Papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) (2007)

Artist/Filmmaker Julian Schnabel use the memoirs of French ELLE editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, to created here, one of the most stirring and technically amazing wonders ever put on films.  After suffering a stroke that leaves him suffering from locked-in-syndrome, we experience THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY from Bauby’s point of view; all from his one good eye. It is something that takes a few seconds to adjust to it, but man, if it isn’t amazing how Mr. Schnabel was able to translate Bauby’s way of seeing the world for us the audience and, true to his artist roots, create a beautifully crafted work of visual art.  The always amazing Mathieu Amalric does one of the most remarkable acting jobs of the decade.  A must see.

27) The assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Like INTO THE WILD, I was completely besides myself at the the utter ignorance of critics circles and awards show for denying this movie.  These two films aren’t the most shocking show of ignorance of the decade (we’ll get that in a few), but boy, sometimes when they get it wrong, they get it royally wrong.  Brad Pitt gives his best and most haunting performance ever, the movie, though long, never feels like it drags. It’s a moody work of tone and gorgeous cinematography that double as indicators of characters’ personalities and emotions.  Oscar nominee Casey Affleck gives Robert Ford a creep’s edge and the sour resentment of a coward who killed what he couldn’t have and could never be.

26) Waitress (2007)

This dramedy is a gem! So freaking good; almost as good as every pie you see on screen.  This is the pregnant-girl-doesn’t-want-baby movie, overrated JUNO thought it was but could never dream of being. Kerry Russell is fantastic in it. Just rent it already.

25) El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth) (2006)

I think most people went into this expecting more fantasy, and some were a bit disappointed by how little of there actually was.  But no one ever expected it to be a fantasy film that would also be a war film, a good vs evil tale, a horror–not fantasy horror, though there were some bits, but real life monsters kind of horror-movie.  Yes, it was loaded with food for thought, but it was so brilliantly done, it was one of the most original and flawless movies the aughts gave us. A bed time story for adults in many ways.

To continue on to films 24 to 1 click here.

2000-2009: 100 Favorite Films (74 to 50)

To check out films 100 to 75 click here.

74) A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)

 

I heard many good things about this movie upon released, but never got around to watch it until a few years later.  I may have issues with Mr “no no no no no no no no!!!” Shia Labeouf, whom I used to like back when he did HOLES (good movie) before he grew up and started acting dickish, but he’s actually very good here. Channing Tatum–showing range and lots of potential here–is also very good.  Overall, the movie is a slice of teenage life, growing up, and escaping your past only to realized you can’t ever turn completely away from it.

73) Diarios De Motocicleta (The Motorcycle Dairies) (2004)

This was really something completely different from what I was expecting it to be.  A roadtrip movie that’s quite funny, and then becomes surprisingly moving. It does a great job of showing you how venturing outside your surroundings and witnessing the world, can change a person and make them want to fight for what it’s right.  Gael Garcia Bernal is extremely good here.

72) Love Actually (2003)

This movie is evil! ….Ha! I only say that because it is impossible for anyone to not fall for it. Oh, those Brits and their cunning ways of ensnaring you with their wit and whimsy.  I don’t like–better yet, I despise Xmas movies, but this? #3 of only 3 Xmas movies I’ve ever loved. Why can’t hollywood create a romantic comedy as pure and simple and natural as this? ‘Cause they have no heart and therefore no feelings.  Can’t create what they don’t know anything about.

71) Bad Santa (2003)

Now this? My number #2 Xmas movie.  I’ve never been a particular follower of Billy Bob Thornton, but here? I worship at his sleazy, bad, pooty-mouth, alcoholic, rageaholic  feet.  I think my heart actually stopped for a few seconds, at how hard I was laughing the first, second, third…. time I saw this.

70) The Family Stone (2005)

My #1 Xmas movie of all times. I didn’t even had any desire of seeing it (blame Sarah Jessica Parker and thoughts of her insufferable character in that irritating SATC show). But I was sneaking into movies, and I needed to see something in between movies so this was the only thing available.  Cut to today and I’ve seen it like 500 times. I can’t get enough of my future wife–as a beautiful brunette here and with a touch of evil–and the trials of the family xmas reunion.  Why do I love it so much? ‘Cause everything about it, from the parents/kids relationship, to the ins and outs of love, to that whole *you may not like it, but they are your family and that’s the only one you’ve got so you gotta love them anyhow* dynamic…. was not just perfectly acted, but smartly written.  This is the most realistic xmas comedy I’ve ever seen.  Dumb fare might make more money, but when you make it realistic, you make it more natural and relatable, and therefore funnier.  Also (like everything else in this list) it’s actually quite touching.

69) Team America: World Police (2004)

Was there a better satire? And with puppets!  5 minutes long puke scene! Golden showers! Puppet sex! Taking ones and twos and threes for the team! Kim Jong-il singing “I’m So Ronery”! Bagalahgadahgahtakaht!! And it was a musical!  (I’m already dying laughing thinking about it)  Two middle fingers way up hollywood’s ass, and it could only come from the people behind SOUTH PARK. If you haven’t seen this? or better yet, own it, then you need to relinquish that hipster cinephile card asap!  The 100 versions of “America, Fuck Yeah!” get me every time :)

68) 21 Grams (2003)

Sean Penn might be viewed as an asshole on TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE, but here? He proves yet again that sometimes assholes (I’m looking at you William Hurt and Denzel) can be the best actors in the world when they are in the zone. Benicio Del Toro and the always fantastic Naomi Watts are also top notch. A small, indie film that’s an emotional firecracker.

67) The Others (2001)

“Are you mad? I am your daughter” was like the best and most startling scene here.  Forever ruined a few years later by the Michael Jackson scene in SCARY MOVIE 3.  Nicole Kidman was on top of her game (what happened to her? The curse of winning an Oscar I tell ya), Fionnula Flanagan was (as always) excellent and creepy, even the kids were game.  The tone of the movie, the score, and the big payoff at the end, put this right up there with the best gothic, horror tales.

66) Donnie Darko (2001)

Whether the theatrical or director’s cut, Donnie Darko was perhaps the trippiest and cultish movie of the decade. It’s probably the real inspiration behind tv show Lost.

65) Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Clint Eastwood was “The Man” of the aughts.  No other director gave us the most consistent body of work and entertained us the most, with smart, classic, films.  Here, he turned what could have easily been another sappy story about some low life character, training and coming into her own, and winning big and becoming a star at the end. And instead gave us something shocking and more profound.  I think you can still hear me gasping from the first time I saw that last boxing match.

64) Saved! (2004)

SAVED! may had been too good for its own good.  This should have been a hit, but you know religion is a touchy subject.  The fact that this movie–as brilliant as it is–just went for the jugular in terms of dark-ish satire, and avoided subtlety, didn’t help either.  But brilliant it is.  Mandy Moore is a total revelation here, and so is Macaulay Culkin and specially, MVP Eva Amurri (daughter of Susan Sarandon) who’s just jaw-dropping amazing. Her pussa is a hawt pussa! indeed.

63) Horton Hears A Who! (2008)

I’m still in shock at how good this movie was. I was expecting some kiddy, cute flick (and it is in many ways) but this was almost Pixarian in sheer ambition. A perfect balance of kiddy, social and political commentary, grown up stuff, and a good message that the whole family can happily take home without any sort of frowning at the screen.  Jim Carrey’s voice work was ace.

62) The Hurt Locker (2009)

The future (if there’s any justice) best picture Oscar 2010 winner, was in fact, not quite all that when I first saw it. I liked it a lot, but didn’t love it.  It took me a second viewing to really appreciate this, and see it for what it is: a first rated pressure cooker action film (and there’s not that much action, so that’s saying a lot) and emotional drama, that gets down to business trying to really put you there, and depict exactly how hard war can be on a human mind.

61) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

 

I don’t know if you know, but David Fincher is my favorite director of all times.  I was torn in between PANIC ROOM, ZODIAC, and BUTTON. After coming up with this list I realized I only had room for one of his movies :(  In the end, BUTTON won, out of sheer scope, technical wizardry, vision, and a story that I found amazingly beautiful and just the right amount of odd.  Full of heart (some people dare to say it was “cold”) and a last shot of its main stars that was just heartbreaking.  The acting was superb, and the score was stirring (listen to it on cd). Another classic in a directorial career full of them.

60) Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)

I’ll have to see how BRUNO holds up in time, but re-watch BORAT again and again and it is still incendiary, relevant, and sidesplittingly funny.  Sacha Baron Cohen is a fearless genius.

59) Brick (2005)

Anchored by the talented Mr. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (one of my faves) BRICK transplanted the coolness of 40s/50s film noir and the detective stories to present day high school to investigate a murder.  You have to keep up with the rapid fire-twisty-dollar words dialogue, but this is as brilliant as high school-based films get.

58) Revolutionary Road (2008)

This movie adaptation of the Richard Yates novel of the same name, was not well received upon released.  I’ve not read the book yet (give me a minute), but this movie felt like a punch to the gut. Kate Winslet was overdue for an Oscar yes, and as glad as I am that she won for THE READER, she really deserve it for her work here.  She will leave you devastated, specially towards the end.  Amazingly shot, the wardrobe, cinematography, set design; everything about this movie was perfectly crafted.  An emotional tour-de-force that you want to turn away from, but just can’t.

57) Star Trek (2009)

In a perfect world, STAR TREK should have gotten the Oscar nomination that THE BLIND SIDE received. But that’s all right. The best and most enjoyable blockbuster of 2009.  This had all the popcorn components to please all kinds of people, and the brains to not leave you feeling lobotomized (I’m looking at you TRANSFORMERS 2!).  Also, the most eye-popping and trippiest film if you watch it while high as a kite on a big screen.

56) Milk (2008)

Or the movie where Sean Penn learned to smile and couldn’t stop from doing it. The movie is brilliant, as relevant today as the historical events it depicts were, back in the late 70s.  I could go on praising it, but it all comes down to this: any movie that begins somberly with his main character speaking of his impending assassination, (grabbing you emotionally) and then gets to that assassination scene, and still manages to shock you, even though you knew it was coming, deserves all the praises it gets, ’cause that’s just superb filmmaking.

55) Caché (Hidden) (2005)

I can’t talk about it, just rent it and watch it.  All you need to know is that life can go down a spiral, the moment you are made aware that you’re being watch.

54) Ratatouille (2007)

Tell me you didn’t love this movie? You could just about smell and taste the food off the screen. I’ve never been so in love with rats before.  Just not the ones here in NYC though, they are scary as hell!

53) Ne Le Dis A Personne (Tell No One) (2006)

This was a thriller/mystery that just kept on twisting away.  And the pay off at the end was amazing.  Brain stimulating at it’s best.

52) Das Leben Der Anderen (The Lives of Others) (2006)

The characters in CACHE may have trouble with their lives being watch, but here? People are listening to you, and not just any people, the government.  What made this movie even more riveting, was that it was all about the listener and not so much about those he was listening to.  Add to that the fact that it was a historical film and well, it makes you feel a bit better you weren’t around back then. Though we are being listened to today, just more inconspicuously and highly illegally.

51) El Orfanato (The Orphanage) (2007)

A hold your breathe and die suspenseful little movie that was so effective in its scariness, and brilliantly acted, you couldn’t help but gasp at every turn. The definition of moody.

50) No Country For Old Men (2007)

Listen people, the dream Tommy Lee describes at the end, explains the whole movie. Stop acting like you just saw a David Lynch film.  I’m not a big Coens Brothers fan, I like about 15% of their films so far, but this was fucking amazing! Probably because it was an adaptation and not a Coen original story.  Anyhow, who would have thought they could direct so stealthily? Javier Barden’s Anton Chigurh is the scariest mutha of any film ever.

To continue on to films 49 to 25 click here.

2000-2009: 100 Favorite Films (100 to 75)

Well, I’ve finally arrived at the end of my 2000-2009 lists.  I’m debating doing *least favorites* but not sure if I’ll go there.  These couple of days had been really exhausting, writing down, researching, juggling memory, etc. trying to make sure I didn’t miss anything that should be on my personal lists (though friends have already taken me to task for not including several items on the music lists). Of all the lists though, I still feel like this one is missing a movie…or two, I just don’t know which movie(s).  There are obvious/glaring omissions here, and I’m already working on a post explaining why that is. I’ll put it up after we get to number 1.

This list, as always, is a combination of my (for the most part) snobbish film taste (y’all know I’m way harsher on movies than anything else. I don’t even know why) plus a bunch of movies I just enjoy so much, I’ve watched them hundreds of times, more so than even my number 1 pick. Because not everything in life has to be meaningful.

Onto the countdown:

100) Shrek (2001)

The second one was not as funny (it was to be expected) and the third one was just mediocre, which means the fourth one is going to be plain bad. Guess we’ll have to cross our fingers.  BUT! Once upon a time, the first SHREK came out, and it wow audiences for its not so subtle jab at everything Disney, proving that not only beautifully drawn, white people–er, I mean cartoons! can also live happily ever after.  The *Fiona singing/killing the bird* bit gets me every time.

99) A Knight’s Tale (2001)

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve watched and re-watched this. I just love this movie. I love the use of modern music, fashion, and slang peppered through out, completely fucking with (fictional) history. Heath Ledger is so full of spirit, Shannyn Sossamon is so perfect and just the right amount of girlie/feisty/no-nonsense, and gorgeously foxy; I don’t know why her career didn’t take off. Paul Bettany’s speeches are a riot and Wash (Alan Tudyk will always be Wash to me) controlled rage is hilarious.  We Will Rock You indeed.

98) The Notebook (2004)

My future wife is the star here so you know that’s already about 90% of the reasons why its included. The other 10%? well, because this damn love story truly is a really good movie! And Ryan Gosling, who’s one of my favorite young actors, adds more points.  PLUS you know that the whole Gena Rowland/James Garner had you crying a bit, don’t even lie!

97) Heaven (2002)

 

I didn’t even hear of this movie until mid-last year, when some news papper columnist mentioned on passing, and then it was playing on the movie channel so I watched it, because, well, Cate and Giovanni are always good. This little-seen movie is a gem. The film is very atmospheric, specially towards the last third. The story is moving/shocking and so is Cate’s performance. Giovanni brings his odd/lost boy trademark and it really suits his character here. Oh, and the score is pretty great. It punctuates the movie just right.

96) Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

I was torn between this and CHICKEN RUN. I love both but in the end, WERE-RABBIT won.

95) The Descent (2005)

This was a left field, pleasant surprise. The trailer for it was just not the best trailer, the concept read like yet another laughable, crappy horror film, but boy if this wasn’t edge-of-your-seat scary and well, fucking great! THE RING had been the last great horror film, and everything in between had been garbage, until THE DESCENT came and saved the day.  Of course I’m referring here to the original British cut of the film not the *save for Americans* release we got here on the States.  The sequel is so going to suck, but Ima see it anyway.

94) District 9 (2009)

Love it, hate it, on the fences about it, DISTRICT 9 was awesome. If you didn’t get it that’s your fault, but as smart, sociopolitical, sci-fi films go? This was remarkable.

93) In The Valley of Elah (2007)

I couldn’t stand Paul Haggis pandering, self-important CRASH, but he really made up for that debacle with this moving, sombering piece of drama. Tommy Lee Jones (who was also great on NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN in the same year) gives one of the best *quiet* and saddest, yet strong performances I’ve seen. He’s the soul of the movie.

92) Up (2009)

I could fill this list only with Pixar films and I don’t think anyone would call me crazy.  Now that the flying is done, UP wasn’t Pixar’s best but it was the studio more somber, more realistic (in terms of mr. Fredricksen’s life silly) that just keeps showing how each movie, each story keeps maturing more and more while still being accessible to the whole family from babies to adults.  That prologue? the most heartbreaking opening to a movie in ages. And this is a cartoon people! Someone please take note.

91) Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

If you haven’t seen this movie, do yourself a favor and go see it already. It is fantastic. Not even George Clooney’s involvement takes away from its brilliance. Wes Anderson’s finest film since RUSHMORE.

90) Gone Baby Gone (2007)

Who would have thought that Ben Affleck had such directing chops on him? And Casey Affleck? between this and JESSE JAMES, 2007 was his best year ever. I haven’t read the novel but this movie was pitch-perfect, from acting to pacing to everything in between.  Suspenseful and at turns, hard-edged, just like life.

89) Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

This bonkers comedy is kung-fu gold. I’m still trying to master the *buddhist palm* technique. Can’t wait for the sequel.

88) Half Nelson (2006)

This almost didn’t make this list, a friend reminded me of it. In fact, I had Ryan’s other amazing film: THE BELIEVER in its place (if you haven’t seen it, rent it quickly, he’s dynamite) but as much as I love THE BELIEVER, there’s something about HALF NELSON that really connected with me. The film is not showy at all, but more affecting, and Ryan keeps proving why he’s his generation’s Ed Norton.

87) House of Flying Daggers (2004)

This film is beautiful. The story and the fight scenes and well, everything else is amazing yes, but this is so beautiful to look at. I can’t get enough of asian martial arts films, specially when they are this gorgeous.

86) Hero (2002)

Yes, HERO is slightly better than HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS. The story of DAGGERS is a bit more complex and personal, but HERO is a giant spectacle that’s just as beautiful/colorful and more eye-popping than anything found on the moon known as Pandora. As far as choreographed fight scenes go? this is as close to art as a movie gets.

85) Mean Girls (2004)

My future wife stars here so that’s about 90% of the reason why this film is on this list. The other 10%? The whip-smart dialogue Tina Fey wrote, and the fact that this is exactly how high school girls (and boys) act.  Even years after high school is over. Because it is never really over.

84) Night Watch/Day Watch (2004-2006)

I refuse to separate these films. They stand together (and the third and fourth muthafucking chapters whenever they get around to make them). Showing Hollywood that you can make a FX ladden film without a super budget and still wow the audience, NIGHT WATCH/DAY WATCH takes a few seconds to follow the story line on the first film, but once you get a grasp of it? It is the wildest ride this side of russian vampires and vodka shots.

83) Big Fish (2003)

Taking a break from *re-imagining* old movies, Tim Burton took time to adapt the book of the same name, cast Ewan McGregor (one of my all time faves) and gave us his best film of the decade. A magical tall-tale that plays like a fairy-tale, and though it is full of Tim’s signature eccentric visuals, it’s probably his most accessible film since, well, ever. Fun for the whole family.

82) Spiderman II (2004)

The first SPIDERMAN was good but something just wasn’t quite there yet.  Enter the perfect mix of popcorn action, nuanced acting, solid story-lines, great villains; throw in the right amount of romance, and you have yourself one of the very best superhero/comic-book-adaptation movies ever. Right alongside SUPERMAN II, BATMAN RETURNS, and X2: THE LAST STAND. Now if we could only forget about that third movie or that whole mess about what the fourth one is going to be…..

81) The Ring (2002)

For a while during the fall of 2002, a seemingly innocent yet strange and ultimately evil, little girl name Samara, had the whole country afraid of a) vhs tapes, b) tv sets, c) water. Not to mention answering the phone for fear of hearing “seven days” coming from the other end of the line. THE RING was the sole Japan-horror-remake that successfully translated, and was superior to its source material.  It wasn’t relentless, it was more about the slow, dreadful pacing, the atmosphere (the grey/blue hue the film seems to be washed on helps a lot), but it was full of scary jolts, big and small, and the acting was top.

80) Finding Nemo (2003)

I liked NEMO a lot upon released, but it wasn’t until rewatching it some years later that I realized not only how well it had held, but how amazing it is. I don’t understand how anyone can say they don’t love this movie. Pixar does it once again.

79) Shawn of the Dead (2004)

28 DAYS LATER revitalized the zombie genre without zombies. People forget that the there are no *zombies* on that movie but people affected by a disease.  Well, SHAWN OF THE DEAD took that cue and then turned it on its head by making fun of the zombie genre in ways that were too funny to not appreciate. It even (like any good comedy) pointed at and made fun of society in an intelligent way you have to be republican–er, I mean stupid (I kid!) to not get it.  It’s offspring: ZOMBIELAND isn’t as great, but damn close.

78) The Host (2006)

 

Speaking of social commentary by way of comedy and in this case, a truckload of horror, THE HOST was brilliant, just brilliant. And in lots of stretches, scary as shit.  Also (like any good movie) it tugged at your heart and made you care for all its characters in ways hollywood will never know how to.

77) Where the Wild Things (2009)

Here’s to being a kid again! Spike Jonze is a genius. Like Wes Anderson before him, he took a beloved children’s book and made a classic, masterful, visual companion. I know there are people out there who are still saying that he *butchered* the book or simply didn’t get it.  Well the book itself received those same sentiments before it was pronounced a masterpiece years later. I’m just ahead of the curve here.

76) Stardust (2007)

The blockbuster that never was.  I still don’t understand why people didn’t flock to see this while it was in theaters. An epic fantasy/comedy that has it all. Even two bonus *I’m game* performances by Robert De Niro (hilarious!!) and Michelle Pfeiffer (awesomely evil).  Another I can’t get enough of film. For a month there last year, I literally saw this like 50 times.

75) Idiocracy (2006)

This smart, commentary on society, comedy may only rank 75 here, and probably 1,646.464 on professional critics lists.  But as society becomes more and more like the people depicted in it? This will turn out to be the most important and relevant film ever made.  Because made no mistake, comedy aside, this truly is the future of America.  You and I may not be around to see it, but the world is heading there nonetheless.

To continue on to films 74 to 50 click here.