TD: Best and Worst Films of the Decade

TD:
I'd say, overall, the 00's has been a pretty good decade for film. We've seen revolutionary special effects, a resurgence of Disney flicks via Pixar, and a plethora of superhero films--some outstanding and others ridiculous.

Instead of doing a countdown of the top ten, I'm going to just include a list of what I think are the best and worst.

I'll start with a director/film that has changed independent cinema in America. Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums. Somehow, Anderson is able to take dark, obscure ideas and fill it with mainstream actors and still manages to maintain integrity--receiving acclaim from both big budget and low budget film buffs alike. And I'd certainly call the Tenenbaums the most interesting fictional family of the decade hands down. If you haven't seen it, rent it. Anderson's all about imagery and his films are as much of an art project as they are a movie.

Ok now to the next film. What do you get when you combine aspects of James Bond, gangster films, Traditional Superhero films, and Silence of the Lambs? The answer: The Dark Knight. It is certainly the best superhero film of all time. Christopher Nolan is a genius and it's obvious with this picture. It appealed to practically everyone and it was evident on its release day (I saw so many people dressed as The Joker when I stood line...outside of the movie theatre!!) The mystique surrounding Ledger's legendary performance and mysterious death just add to what is going to be very long lasting appeal. RIP Heath

Charlie Kaufman has a busy head. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a magical film. Jim Carey is brilliant as a shy loner in search for his antitheses. He finds it in Clementine (Kate Winslet). Just when you think your watching a realistic love story, your tossed into Joel's mind as his memory of Clementine is being erased. The absurd story line is what makes Kaufman's screenplay so great, because it works. So many directors have tried to rip of the surreal style of Eternal--don't let the posers tarnish the real champ. Carey should have watched Eternal Sunshine before he agreed to do Fun with Dick and Jane.

Who would of thought that a kid from Scrubs would write such an outstanding film? Not me. Don't get me wrong, Scrubs is great, but I never would of thought Zach Braff was capable of making a film like Garden State. What a fucking film. I consider it a modern day Graduate. Not to mention, "New Slang" is a great song. Oh yea, Natalie Portman=my fantasy.

Star Wars Revenge of The Sith. Not one of the best films of the decade, but it deserves an honorable mention as the best out of Lucas' recent three Star Wars films--the only good one. I'm a Star Wars geek. May the force be with you.

There Will Be Blood. If you haven't seen it, crawl out of your hole and watch it. And have patience, it's not a Michael Bay film. P.T. Anderson doesn't account for American's 5 second attention span. Daniel Day Lewis might be the best actor around right now.

There have been a lot of great films about Boston over the years, Good Will Hunting, Gone Baby Gone, Fever Pitch...ok not that one but...

Mystic River. Sean Penn is unbelievable. He's a craftsmen. This film is gut wrenching and raw. Every actor is outstanding, every scene necessary. The story line appears had at first but keep watching because it becomes very original. Clint Eastwood has made some good movies in the 00's bu this one stands tall above the rest.

Kate Winslet's name has already appeared. That's because she's fucking great. Little Children is her best film...in fact, she is the film. Normally I wouldn't choose a film as being one of the best of the decade when one actor/actress carries it but Winslet is just that good. Watch this film alongside American Beauty--their depressing nature compliment each other. Watch a Michael Bay film as a night cap to lift your spirits.

Here's a sleeper that might shock a few of you. Catch Me if You Can. I love DiCaprio and I was debating between this one and The Departed. The controlled chaos of Catch Me forced me to put it on the list. Tom Hanks ain't half bad either.

Ok...I know I've left a bunch of great movies off the list and if I think of more I'll definitely add them. So now to my favorite film of the decade:

No Country for Old Men.

From outstanding, simplistic dialogue, to incredible landscapes and cinematography, The Coen Brother's attacked an outstanding novel with incredible ambition. What a film, Friendo. I'm speechless about this one, if you haven't seen it, punch yourself in the face and then rent it.

Honorable Mentions: Into the Wild, Donnie Darko, Memento, Traffic, Talk to Her, Slumdog Millionaire, Adventureland, Brokeback Mountain, Half Nelson, Darjeeling Limited, The Departed, Children of Men, Michael Clayton, Old School, Control, The Strangers, The Lives of Others.

Ok so here are the worst or MOST OVERRATED films, they're getting limited explanations:

(Oh, and I'm leaving the obviously bad films off the list like Knowing and Catwoman. Nick Cage and Hallie Berry don't even like those films. I'm trying to concentrate on films that people seem to actually like...for some reason.)

Crash. Overproduced piece of Hollywood garbage presenting a fictitious world that is made to represent modern day Los Angeles? Crash should pick the fleas off of Brokeback Mountain, what a sham for winning Best Picture.

Forest Gump. It came out in 1994 but it sucks.

Kill Bill volume 1 and 2 and Grindhouse.
Between Pulp Fiction and Inglorious Bastards Tarantino should have taken a break.

Gangs of New York
Certainly not one of Scorsese's finest, even with Daniel Day Lewis as his anchor.

Boondock Saints
Not a terrible film...not worth the hype.

The only good Pirates of the Caribbean film was the first one. Let's not forget these movies are based on a two minute ride at Disney World.

(Lord of the Rings)I'm a Star Wars fan. 16 hours of walking just doesn't do it for me. Sorry Peter, your films are highly overrated. Then again, I'm biased.

ps: The Fellowship of the Ring is a really well done movie. If any of them should have won best picture, it should have been that one.

Little Miss Sunshine
Anytime I watch it, I get really tired. It's just bland.

Well....I'm done.