50. Paranormal Activity (2009)
An original, innovative use of a camera, Paranormal Activity is one of few horror films that actually scare me.
49. American Psycho (2000)
A stunningly funny and violent masterpiece, this one is as fun as it is disturbing.
48. Bobby (2006)
I love the idea this film has: Every one has a story. This film chronicles the moments leading up to the RFK assassination, and follows over five characters, and what they did before the event.
47. Nine (2009)
Nine
could have been so much more, but I still enjoyed it thoroughly. Most
of the characters were severely undeveloped, but if you set that aside,
it is a very fun film to watch.
46. The Departed (2006)
I
am still undecided as to whether this film is a masterpiece. But if a
film is ever considered to be called that, then it definitely deserved
to be named something special.
45. Gangs of New York (2002)
Scorsese's
powerful film chronicles how the streets of New York came to be. This
film also has one of the greatest final shots I have ever seen.
44. Walk the Line (2005)
Powered
by great writing, superb performances, and fun music, Walk the Line is
one of the greatest biopics ever, and is also a great romance film.
43. Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001)
One of my favorite coming-of-age films, this one is both funny and moving.
42. Gosford Park (2001)
This
is a visual masterpiece, and has an Oscar-winning script to go along
with it. The film is a murder mystery, set in a mansion, and told from
the servant's point of view. A very fun film.
41. Bad Santa (2003)
This film is so much better than it could have been. A great comedy with a heart.
40. Kill Bill (2003)
Kill Bill is such an entertaining film to watch, and has a simple yet fun storyline. Director Quentin Tarantino pays homage to the films he grew up watching here, and it is obvious that he is thankful for his influences.
39. The Wrestler (2008)
Not
a perfect film, but one that is powered by great performances. I
enjoyed the film's flawed main character, and thought he was a well
written one.
38. Doubt (2008)
Film critic Roger Ebert
made a great point about this film. He said how rare it is for a film
to challenge the viewer to think from the very first scene, and this is
what Doubt does. This features ensemble acting at its finest, and is a
surprisingly involving mystery.
37. Invictus (2009)
A biopic on Nelson Mandela, this film features strong performances, and a fine script filled with "chill-inducing" moments.
36. Man on Wire (2008)
Easily my favorite documentary of all time. This film knows how to tell a story, and evoke emotions out of its audience.
35. A Serious Man (2009)
Yet another masterpiece by the Coen
Brothers, A Serious Man features an ending in which I really did not
like when I saw it in theaters. But when I thought about it some more,
it proved to be very thematic.
34. Brick (2005)
Startlingly
original, Brick is a kind of murder mystery/detective story set in a
high school. It is filled with twists and turns, but is also a very
emotional film. I enjoyed it.
33. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)
I
only mildly enjoyed this film when I originally saw it. When I further
thought about it, I remembered myself being totally glued to the screen
while watching it. It features film making at its finest.
32. Ghost World (2001)
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this film. The performances are excellent, and the script is original and fun.
31. An Education (2009)
Such
a fine romance, An Education is a great example of a film that takes
risk that pay off. Watch out for this one at this year's Academy Awards.
30. Wonder Boys (2000)
Tobey Maguire's
best performance. The film is funny and moving, featuring the
relationship between a college professor and his student. I loved the
film'santiplot structure.
29. Better Luck Tomorrow (2002)
This
deserves to be called one of the great teen films. It is a drama that
follows Asian American high school students, and shows that there is
more going on in their lives than what they appear.
28. 21 Grams (2003)
I
remember how surprised I was when I saw how amazing this film was. 21
Grams, when explained at the end, has a more meaningful title than what
it seems to be.
27. Monster's Ball (2001)
Monster's Ball is a good example of a film that has nice character growth. It also features amazing performances.
26. Avatar (2009)
What
a visually stunning film this is. The extra dimension it has is no
gimmick; it simply adds to the realism. I also enjoyed the film's
storyline.
25. 25th Hour (2002)
Edward Norton, in almost
every role he takes, proves himself to be one of the greatest actors
alive. Here he takes on the role of a New York citizen contemplating
his choices after he is arrested, and has 24 hours until he must go to
jail.
24. Sin City (2005)
Sin City is a gritty, visual masterpiece. I enjoyed the voice over, the art direction, and its twisted writing. Fun stuff.
23. Last Days (2005)
This
film chronicles a rock star at the height of his fame, played by the
talented Michael Pitt. The film's cinematography was excellent, telling
the story visually, with very few words.
22. Up (2009)
The
finest animated film I have seen. I enjoyed everything about it; it's
characters and their growth, its humor, even its visuals.
21. The Score (2001)
Say
what you want, but I was truly entertained by this film. It features
the three best actors of their respective generations (Marlon Brando,
Robert DeNiro, and Ed Norton), and has fun twists and turns. It is the best heist film of the decade.
20. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
One thing I love about Tarantino
is that he has the ability to create unforgettable, original
characters. He knows them so well, that the final film is as if he is
playing action figures with them.Inglourious Basterds is one of the most fun movies of the decade, and is a Tarantino essential.
19. Almost Famous (2000)
A very personal film for writer/director Cameron Crowe,
Almost Famous is based off of true events in the director's life. It
boasts a great soundtrack, original writing, top-notch performances,
and a great coming of age storyline.
18. Juno (2007)
Juno
is yet another reason that I love the Best Original Screenplay category
at the Academy Awards. The category features films that have freedom to
tell a story the way they want it.
17. A Single Man (2009)
This
film, the debut of director Tom Ford, had the ability to get so many
emotions out of me. It was sad, fun, and uplifting. This is one of the
finest films of the decade, and possibly the best of the year.
16. Crash (2005)
What
a meaningful picture this is. I always love a good ensemble piece, one
with well written and acted characters. Also worth noting is the film's
music, which adds so much to the film.
15. The Aviator (2004)
Biopics
are always an interesting genre, and The Aviator proves just how
fascinating one can be. The Howard Hughes story is an interesting one,
and the man is brought to life greatly by Scorsese and DiCaprio.
14. In Bruges (2008)
Never has a film mixed comedy and violence so easily since Pulp Fiction. It is a fun and unique story.
13. The Weather Man (2005)
So
funny and unique, The Weather Man reminded me of American Beauty. I
loved how both films take a closer look at life, and show that there is
more going on than what you may think.
12. Memento (2001)
Christopher
Nolan's first masterpiece. Never have I been so far inside a
character's head before. Memento follows a character who cannot form
new memories, so Nolan tells the film backwards. This allows the
audience feel see what the main character sees, and relate to what he
is dealing with. Brilliant.
11. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
One
of the most powerful endings I have seen, partially thanks to its
amazing soundtrack. The film's performances were great, complimenting
its superb screenplay.
10. Sideways (2004)
One of the
great buddy comedies of all time, Sideways also is a nice romance. The
script is such a fun one, allowing the audience to laugh, even cry for
the characters. I enjoyed the characters, and loved "hanging out" with
them for two hours.
9. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Ron
Howard's masterpiece, this is another example of how interesting a
biopic can be. The film's moments were so subtle, as well as the music.
8. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
This film does so many things right. It never takes a misstep, and is smart as it is funny.
7. Milk (2008)
I
really enjoyed Milk's structure, which was partially told in flashback.
This film is yet another great example of how amazing biopics can be.
It also features one of the greatest performances of all time by Sean
Penn.
6. Mystic River (2003)
Clint Eastwood's
masterpiece. The story is so wonderfully crafted, with very memorable
performances. I loved the film's twists and turns, as well as it's art
direction and cinematography.
5. Lost in Translation (2003)
If
this can be considered a romantic comedy, then this is what every movie
of the genre should strive to be. Bill Murray gives cinema's best
performance of the year in a role that was written for him. The film is
excellent in so many ways, and I enjoy it each time I watch it.
4. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
The key to making a Best Picture winner is having the ability to get different emotions out of the audience. Slumdog
Millionaire does just this, as it has it all. Suspense, comedy,
romance, even a little bit of action. These are all tied together
nicely, combining to be one of the most enjoyably cinematic experience
of the decade.
3. The Dark Knight (2008)
Nolan's second
masterpiece, and likely not his last. This is what a Hollywood
blockbuster should be. It takes risks, is never gratuitous, and is well
written. It is also one hell of a fun ride.
2. There Will Be Blood (2007)
Paul
Thomas Anderson amazes me. The young director already has three (in my
opinion) perfect films under his belt, including Boogie Nights,
Magnolia, and this one. There Will Be Blood follows an oil man, and his
longing for money and power. Many critics call this character one of
the greatest written characters of all time. His character arc is
brilliantly crafted. The film's photography is excellent, and the film
deserves to be called one of the best of the decade.
1. No Country For Old Men (2007)
No
Country For Old Men is such a perfectly told story, it is almost
difficult to put it into words. The characters are written so well, the
scenes are so memorable, and the cinematography is something to
experience. AntonChigurh, the film's antagonist, is one of the greatest written characters, is one of the finest villains ever put on screen. The Coen Brothers are great storytellers, and they know how to weave any kind of tale.