Top Ten Films of the Aughts (so far)

Rob C · February-14th-2006, 01:27 PM

I don't think a thread has been started on this. Inspired by seeing Grizzly Man last night, and just generally being of a hierarchical turn of mind, I started thinking about what I'd consider as the best movies of the decade, so far. There's plenty I haven't seen, so I'm really curious to see what other people would list.

Anyway, in alphabetical order, I came up with:

Before Sunset
Donnie Darko
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Grizzly Man
Hero
Me and You and Everyone We Know
Mulholland Dr.
Mystic River
Tully
25th Hour

I'm probably forgetting something that should be on there, but I loved all of these.

Gentle Giant · February-14th-2006, 01:37 PM

High Fidelity

That one with Bill Murray and Scarlet Johanson

Rob C · February-14th-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

That one with Bill Murray and Scarlet Johanson

Lost in Translation

Root Doctor · February-14th-2006, 02:01 PM

Surfer · February-14th-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob C

Before Sunset
Donnie Darko
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Grizzly Man
Hero
Me and You and Everyone We Know
Mulholland Dr.
Mystic River
Tully
25th Hour

I'll take ESOTSM and Grizzly Man. I really didnt like Before Sunset, and Tully was just OK, but not great, a little too sentimentally self-consciously moody. I didnt like Mystic River that much either. The rest I havent seen.

So, my list:

Eternal Sunshine
Grizzly Man
Royal Tannenbaums
Lost In Translation (need to see this again to see if it still holds up)
Decasia
You Can Count On Me
Dogville
Junebug
Station Agent
Riding Giants or Step Into Liquid or Dogtown and Z-Boys

Yes I know there is only one non-American film on here, I just couldnt think of any others.

Rob C · February-14th-2006, 02:06 PM

I was a little perturbed by my own lack of foreign films.

You Can Count on Me almost made my list.

Root Doctor · February-14th-2006, 02:08 PM

I like both of those Stacey Peralta movies a great deal, Surf.

Surfer · February-14th-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob C

You Can Count on Me almost made my list.

That movie caught me completely offguard. From the terrible title, and smaltzy images in pastel on the box, I thought it was going to be, well, you know.

I still think its Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo's shining moment. Even Broderick isnt insufferable as the small town banker. Great great stuff. I cant recommend this movie highly enough. Soundtrack by Steve Earle and Del McCoury off The Mountain album.

Scott Dolan · February-14th-2006, 02:28 PM

I'd toss Northfork into the mix.

Surfer · February-14th-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Root Doctor

I like both of those Stacey Peralta movies a great deal, Surf.

I thought he took a slight step back with Lords Of Dogtown. He did such a great job telling the story with the real people (remember Jay Adams moment of regret??? Heartbreaking . . . .), why did he need to make the same movie again with actors?

I hope he's not running out of ideas, because he is a talented technical movie maker and documentarian.

Root Doctor · February-14th-2006, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surfer

I thought he took a slight step back with Lords Of Dogtown. He did such a great job telling the story with the real people (remember Jay Adams moment of regret??? Heartbreaking . . . .), why did he need to make the same movie again with actors?

I hope he's not running out of ideas, because he is a talented technical movie maker and documentarian.

He did Lords of Dogtown? I didn't even bother, for the reasons you give.

I thought Riding Giants was great. After it was over, my nine year old said to me, "My favorite surfer was the fat guy who swore all the time."

Surfer · February-14th-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Root Doctor

After it was over, my nine year old said to me, "My favorite surfer was the fat guy who swore all the time."

Greg Noll, living legend. He now lives up in Crescent City, up by the Oregon border. Works as a commercial fisherman. He son Jed Noll shapes boards and has his own line. Since Riding Giants, Greg has started trying to cash in by doing some retro surf stuff, and a limited edition line of surfboards.

If you're interested, his autobiography is excellent, a really great read:

As Mone could tell you, Greg's epic wave at Makaha in 1969 is still talked about to this day in hushed reverence.

Root Doctor · February-14th-2006, 02:57 PM

Thanks for the tip on the Noll bio. I'll track it down!

chuckyd4 · February-14th-2006, 03:29 PM

I never did understand what everyone saw in Lost in Translation - no need for me to see if it holds up now, cause I didn't really think it held up back when I originally saw it.

I'll agree with Eternal Sunshine for sure, a little self-consciously clever, but I can't really complain, cause it was damn clever. 25th Hour was fantastic too, one of the best Spike movies I've seen in a long time. In the documentary category, Capturing the Friedmans stands out as a really good one.

moneyp · February-14th-2006, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surfer

As Mone could tell you, Greg's epic wave at Makaha in 1969 is still talked about to this day in hushed reverence.

Sad to say, I'm lacking in my knowledge of kahunaography, although I have heard of The Bull and His Wave. He never surfed after that, right? Speaking of surfing legends, we ate at Duke's in Kauai, which has some great pictures and information on Duke Kahanamoku. Any interesting docs on him?

Dr Dave · February-14th-2006, 05:25 PM

"The Aughts?"

Nah.

I like "The Naughties."

Y Tu Mama Tambien
Syriana
Memento
In The Bedroom
Sexy Beast
Igby Goes Down
Mystic River
21 Grams
Capote
Crash

Squaredancecalling Steve · February-14th-2006, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surfer

Yes I know there is only one non-American film on here, I just couldnt think of any others.

I only have one American film, although not nearly as long a list.

Amores Perros
Talk To Her
The Fast Runner
Winged Migration

Rob C · February-14th-2006, 05:45 PM

The Fast Runner! That's one I forgot about. A great movie. I might have to throw that on my list, probably in lieu of either Donnie Darko or Mystic River.... Yeah, probably Mystic River. So long, Clint.

Surfer · February-14th-2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckyd4

Capturing the Friedmans stands out as a really good one.

That movie could be the most unpleasant artistic experience I've ever sat through. It was physically difficult to watch. Almost beyond picking at a raw nerve. You just want to look away. At a certain point (this is when it was on HBO) I had to stop watching. I just couldnt watch anymore. I felt horrifyingly voyeuristic. I think it was when his wife began to turn on him, I cant remember.

I later on caught the second half, but I think its the only movie I've ever had to stop watching because it was making me so uncomfortable.

I honestly dont know if I would call it "good", or "fascinating", or even "worthwhile", its to me beyond those adjectives.

Surfer · February-14th-2006, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mone peterson

Sad to say, I'm lacking in my knowledge of kahunaography, although I have heard of The Bull and His Wave. He never surfed after that, right? Speaking of surfing legends, we ate at Duke's in Kauai, which has some great pictures and information on Duke Kahanamoku. Any interesting docs on him?

Mone, I honestly dont want to continue to hijack this thread with surfing stuff. I'm surprised I havent been completely thrown off it already. But Duke is Duke.

Scott Dolan · February-14th-2006, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc D

Y Tu Mama Tambien

Ah, yes. Another VERY good movie!

john williams · February-14th-2006, 07:01 PM

Downfall
American Splendor
The Constant Gardener
The Return
Sideways
The Motorcycle Diaries
House of Flying Daggers
Hero
Bad Education
Gallipoli (Documentary, not Weir's old film)

stonemonkts · February-14th-2006, 07:06 PM

I would add:

2046
The Return (Vozvrashcheniye)
Punch-Drunk Love
Requiem for a Dream
Spirited Away
Napolean Dynamite
Mad Hot Ballroom
Word Wars

I heartily second 25th Hour, and Y Tu Mama Tambien....and Constant Gardener, and Downfall (JBW's post reminded me of them).

And oh my how could I forget Sexy Beast..a film I can watch over and over.

Borat Pri Hagafen · February-14th-2006, 07:15 PM

"The Fog of War"
"Audition" was 1999 technically, but i bet it didn't hit US theaters or become available here until after 2000.

Surfer · February-14th-2006, 07:20 PM

I'm really surprised Dogville isnt making more people's lists. If I had to pick 1 movie, it'd either be Eternal Sunshine or Dogville, depending on my mood. I watched bits and pieces again on IFC when it was replayed last month, and it was even more powerful because of what I knew was coming.

No other film affected me for so long afterwards, and made me think so deeply about personal and social beliefs.

That being said, American Splendor, Punch-Drunk Love (PT's best so far, but still not that great), Requiem (so obvious in its point, so obvious in its delivery, and the acting was very good but not great - I'm sick of seeing whats-her-face naked), Napolean Dynamite (pretty funny, but pretty "meh" too - also sick of the instant cultiness bestowed upon it immediately), Sideways (I wanted to like this more than I did), The Motorcycle Diaries, House of Flying Daggers, Hero.

All decent choices but not quite worthy IMO.

I need to see Downfall and 2046.

Surfer · February-14th-2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borat Pri Hagafen

"The Fog of War"

Pretty great. That'd make my top 15.

john williams · February-14th-2006, 07:24 PM

Yes, The Fog of War was excellent.

Damn, I forgot about Punch Drunk Love and Requiem for a Dream which wer both outstanding films Stone!

I need to see 2046.

Scott Dolan · February-14th-2006, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBW

Downfall
American Splendor
The Constant Gardener
The Return
Sideways
The Motorcycle Diaries
House of Flying Daggers
Hero
Bad Education
Gallipoli (Documentary, not Weir's old film)

House Of Flying Daggers? Really? It wasn't a bad flick, but I don't know that I'd rate it so highly. Hero was MUCH better.

Stoner, 2046 was that good? I've been wanting to check that one out.

Surfer · February-14th-2006, 07:29 PM

The Five Obstructions

That would probably be #11.

john williams · February-14th-2006, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

House Of Flying Daggers? Really? It wasn't a bad flick, but I don't know that I'd rate it so highly. Hero was MUCH better.

I liked them both for different reasons.

But then again I'm gobsmacked that any Clint Eastwood movie could make a best of list. That guy only deals in mediocrity.

Yes, I almost put Dogville on the list but I guess I preferrd Von Trier's earlier films much more.