My Favorite/Best Movie of the Decade
PLEASE READ THE PREABMBLE BEFORE READING MY LIST!
Let me explain the premise of the list so you understand from where I am coming. I believe a critic should always explain how much he/she thinks of a movie from a critical perspective as well as how much he/she simply enjoyed watching the film. For instance, in my opinion Saving Private Ryan is one of the finest films I have ever seen. It was so well crafted and the acting was wonderful. However, I do not include the movie on my list of favorites. It is not something I can watch over and over again. I just don’t enjoy repeat viewings of movies that hard to watch.
Therefore, when composing my top ten of the decade, I wanted to include movies that I felt were critical successes with movies I could watch repeatedly. That is why there is an absence of movies like Slumdog Millionaire, Crash, or any of the Lord of the Rings movies. These were masterpieces, but I won’t be watching any of them again anytime soon.
So grab your popcorn and get comfy; it’s time for EMH’s Top Ten of the Decade!
10. Big Fish
I thought this movie was underrated when it was released, and I feel it still is today. Looking back, I knew there was no stopping the final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. We knew Return of the King was going to when best picture the moment Fellowship of the Ringlost it in 2002 (sorry Two Towers, my favorite of the three, but you had no shot against Chicago). Back to Fish, though. Tim Burton is a master at telling off-beat stories. This movie was like watching a fairy tale. If you haven’t seen Big Fish, you are missing out on a tremendous film Ewan McGregor was charming, Albert Finney was compelling, Helena Bonham Carter was brilliant, and Danny DeVito was captivating. All of these performances were aided by a beautiful story and an Academy Award nominated score by Danny Elfman. Now that I think about it, I haven’t watched this movie in a while. I may enjoy it all over again this holiday season. I hope you do too.
9. Frost/Nixon
I know what you are thinking. Here’s a critically acclaimed movie, fine. But how can you say you’ll watch this one over and over. Look, if you hang around me long enough, you’ll find that I am a sucker for a smart, dialogue-driven story. My number one favorite of all time is The Breakfast Club. When Harry Met Sally is the best romantic comedy ever made. The Usual Suspects is on my short list. All of these are movies with well-crafted scripts that demand the viewer’s attention. Frost/Nixon joined them this year when I saw the movie alone one Saturday night. This movie, for me was all about incredible dialogue and great acting. Way to go Ron Howard! You continue to climb the ladder of greatest directors of all time.
8. Wall-E
My lists change, often. Some people look at that as filp-flopping and disapprove. I think of it as we are human beings. Our personalities and perspectives change throughout our lives. Anyhow, I may look back at this selection and wonder how Wall-E made the top 10 and The Hangover didn’t, but for now I am at peace with this decision. I thought the story of this little garbage collecting robot was fascinating. His desire for companionship, his optimistic personality, and his devotion to Eve was touching. I was very impressed at how the movie kept my attention during the first half with so little dialogue. This movie is endearing and beautiful to watch.
7. Signs
Okay, even I will admit it, the last few years have not been great for M. Night Shyamalan. Though I loved The Village, liked Lady in the Water more than most, and went to see The Happening on opening day, these movies as a group have not been anywhere near the caliber of Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs. The way the gifted director introduced the aliens into the film was an homage to the movie that did it best, Jaws. Imagine seeing that alien in the living room in the opening scene. People would have laughed themselves right out of the theater. Shyamalan gives is noises, reaction shots, startled actors, and shadows. We see an outline of something, then a leg. Later, a fuzzy picture of an alien’s full body shot with an old handheld video camera. Then more alien body parts. All this leads up to the final alien shot in the living room. By then, audiences totally believed in the creatures. And NONE OF THIS IS REALLY WHAT THE MOVIE IS ABOUT. One man’s trial of faith is the story told in front of the backdrop of an alien invasion. You may say the Sixth Sense is the overall better movie, but I say Signs is the director’s best work.
6. Cast Away
Tom Hanks is the best there has ever been. Alone, on an island, for 75 minutes of the movie, and the time flies by. He made me cry my eyes out over losing a freaking’ volleyball! Russell Crowe winning best actor over Tom Hanks that year was one of Oscar’s biggest crimes.
5. Best in Show
Do you enjoy watching The Office (UK or USA)? How about Modern Family or Parks and Recreation? If so, you owe at least some gratitude to Christopher Guest and his team of players from two of the funniest movies ever made: Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show. The comedic timing is about as perfect as you’ll see in a film.
4. Catch Me If You Can
Spielberg, Hanks, Dicaprio, Walken, a very talented Amy Adams, and a little Martin Sheen thrown in as a bonus. Plus, the art direction, the costumes, everything about this movie was spot on. For me it’s a wonderful movie to watch around the Christmas holiday.
3. Chicago
I understand if you simply don’t get into musicals. There are many that I have no interest in as well, but any serious movie fan should have a concept of how hard it is to take a stage musical and adapt it to the big screen. The editing in Chicago is probably the best I have ever seen. The flow of the musical numbers with the story was incredible. The acting was Oscar-worthy (four performances were nominated). The film was incredible.
2. Pirates of the Caribbean
This is a genre that had never been successful, and don’t forget this movie was based on a ride! Depp had established himself as a critically acclaimed actor, but Pirates was his first smash hit. Jack Sparrow, only six and a half years in existence, is already one of the most memorable characters Hollywood has ever introduced. The moment I saw him standing atop his small vessel as it sank into the water just at the right moment for him to step off of it onto the dock, I knew the movie was not going to disappoint. Sure, I could have been wrong. Thank goodness I wasn’t. The supporting cast was very entertaining. The action sequences were captivating, and the special effects were amazing. Some people probably don’t want to see a 4th Pirates movie. I am counting down the months until I can see Captain Jack Sparrow on the big screen again.
1. Ocean’s 11
How do I say this…let’s see. Ocean’s 11 may be the closest thing I have ever seen to being called “The Perfect Movie.” Someone give me a weakness in the movie. It’s sharp. It moves at a fast pace, but is slow enough not to lose you. You know exactly what they are trying to pull off without having a clue how they are going to do it! The timing between Cloony and Pitt was superb. Andy Garcia was a perfect fit for the villain. Carl Reiner brought such a wonderful veteran presence to the cast. Plus, the movie is hilarious. The acting chops on the screen alone were enough to please almost anyone. Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Casey Affleck, Elliott Gould, Scott Caan, and don’t forget the late Bernie Mac (“you might as well call it white-jack!”). I could and have watched this movie over and over.
Okay, fire away. I am ready for your insults. My hope is that someone out there can be persuasive enough to actually change my mind on one of these.
Here’s hoping the next decade is as entertaining as this one has been!
Sincerely,
EMH