My Top 10 (plus 1) Films of the Decade
Honestly, this wasn’t quite as difficult as I thought it might be. Except for the fact that I couldn’t narrow it down to 10. I almost made it 13 but finally settled on 10 plus 1 with a few honorable mentions.
My number 1 film was rather set in stone. Mullholland Dr. mesmerized me. I was completely entranced and never wanted to “understand” it more than the fact that it is a dream. Who knows the exact moment of “sleep” begins? And why would anyone want to know. Naomi Watts gives an amazing performance (as actresses often do under the direction of Lynch). This film inspires me to be a great filmmaker.
My number 2 film (oops...forgot this one before) is Gregg Araki's Mysterious Skin. I have always said after Lynch and Kubrick, Araki is my favorite director. I also used to say that with a bit of irony. Not after this film. Who knew such a subject could be done so beautifully? (Maybe he should have directed The Lovely Bones.) And Gordon-Levitt and Brady Corbet are amazing as the leading boys.
Last year Paranoid Park topped my year end list over Let the Right One In. Now, looking back, that was a mistake. Let the Right One in has stayed with me and haunted me ever since.
Once did top my list two years ago. And it deserves its place near the top, just as Zodiac does. If I remember correctly I had a hard time determining which film would top the list.
Billy Elliot was such an inspiration to me giving me that extra nudge to move to NYC. It still breaks my heart the way Billy and his teacher say goodbye. Which makes it even more amazing.
My favorite film of 2003 was Lost in Translation. I knew it had no chance to win Best Picture, but I was rooting for it anyway. It is still hard for me to explain why I love this movie so much. I think it’s simply one of the most honest films I have ever seen. Scarlett Johansson radiates. And Bill Murray…well…he acts! And that screenplay!
But…Lost in Translation only has the 2nd best screenplay of the decade. The best belongs to Before Sunset. And that is mostly due to the amazing acting done by Delpy and Hawke…which was largely improv’d.
My favorite film of 2006 belonged to Pans Labyrinth. Incredibly scary. Perfectly acted. So many terrible things happen in this film, but thanks to our leading lady we can escape with her into her world and possibly her mind.
In 2005, Brokeback Mountain completely blew me away. It is a perfect screenplay. Unraveling at a perfect, deliberate pace. And the performances from the 4 leads are miraculous. It is hard to believe that the kitchen confrontation scene was the first between Ledger and Williams. It is so obvious they completely inhabited those characters. If you would’ve asked me back in 2005 where this film would land on my list, I probably would’ve said number 2. But it has settled a bit for me.
I have said for years that Donnie Darko is my favorite film. Making this list, I realize that it isn’t the “best.” But being my favorite has to account for something. Yep…number 11.
Here is the list. In order.
Mulholland Dr.
Mysterious Skin
Let the Right One In
Once
Zodiac
Billy Elliot
Lost in Translation
Before Sunset
Pans Labyrinth
Brokeback Mountain
Donnie Darko
Runners Up:
Psycho Beach Party, Far From Heaven, Chuck and Buck, There Will Be Blood, Paranoid Park, The Lookout, No Country For Old Men, Moulin Rouge, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, 20 Centimeters, Million Dollar Baby, Children of Men.