December 8, 2009
The Top 50 Movies of the 2000's (50-46)
The 2000's are coming to a close and everyone and their brother is compiling their list of the best films since the turn of the century. Most of these lists stink. If I see another best of list that has Tropic Thunder or The Dark Knight on it, I am going to scream. Face it kids, The Dark Knight is one of the most overrated films ever released. Obviously, it will make my list of the most over-rated films of the 2000's.
I've compiled my own list of the best films of the decade. If you're going through the list and find yourself disagreeing with any of my choices, remember the following before you comment:
You're wrong.
Is this a flawed movie? Yes. It has its problems. It also is a moving film and represents one of the best "Christian" productions of the decade.
This film avoids heavy handed sermonizing and relies on its characters to deliver the message - just like a movie should.Eduardo Verástegui and Tammy Blanchard (Stealing Harvard) star in this story about a former soccer player Jose who comes to the aid of Nina, a newly unemployed and pregnant woman.
The script by writer director Alejandro Gomez Monteverde and Patrick Million and Leo Severino develops the relationship between these two characters and gives them a reason to fall in love. The touching relationship at the center of the film, along with a powerful final act makes this a production I highly recommend.
#49. Spider-Man (2002)
Easily the best superhero film of recent memory. Where Christopher Nolan's Batman is a grumbling crank and Bryan Singer's X-Men are too busy being symbolic, Sam Raimi breathes life into The Electric Company's star cast member. Raimi takes his subject seriously but keeps his tongue firmly in cheek, never forgetting the whole point is to thrill the audience while delivering an amusing tale.The casting of Tobey Maguire was a perfect move. Maguire's aw-shucks persona fits perfectly with the awkward Peter Parker as he slowly comes to terms with his new found super powers. This is a origin/coming of age story that manages to hit the right tone and bring the audience into the wonder of Parker's new world.
David Mamet writes a martial arts movie? How does that work out? Glen Garry Glen Ross meets Kickboxer? Not quite. Mamet delivers what I believe to be his strongest script in twenty years.Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a dedicated jujitsu instructor is lured into professional competition even though it goes against his values. Ejiofor gives one of the best lead performances of 2008 as the conflicted mixed-martial artists. Not only does he meet the challenge of performing Mamet's complicated character, he also handles the complex physical work convincingly. The mix of great script and gifted actor makes this a must see - in particular for guys.
Cautions: Language, violence
Denzel Washington commands this film about the rise of a razor sharp drug lord. Following the death of his neighborhood's boss, Frank Lucas (Washington) works out a scheme to run heroin out of South Asia and onto the streets of New York.As Lucas' fortunes rise, so does his profile. On the other end of spectrum, Richie Roberts, a narcotics investigator with a crumbling private life compiles a team to hunt Lucas down.
Director Ridley Scott balances the two sides of the law and the two competing story lines. This is not a simple feat. Scott also draws out memorable performances out of both Washington and Crowe.
Cautions: Excessive violence, drug use, language
Five missionaries engage the isolated Waodani tribe at a time when the tribe was embroiled in violent attacks against one another. The Stone Age tribe would kill and torture over nothing and the introduction of missionaries into this situation led to tragedy. Each of the five missionaries were slaughtered by the Waodani.Over the course of their lifetimes, the wives and children of the murdered missionaries not only returned to interact with the Waodani, but they lived among them. The families of the slain missionaries don't just preach their faith, they practice it.
This is a thoughtful and carefully paced documentary. The Christian elements may give non-believers pause but I assure you that even atheists can be moved by this true story.
Labels: list, miscellaneous, The Top 50 Movies of the 2000's
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 8:00 AM
Share
Previous Posts
Friends & Reads
Christian & Culture
Film Resources
Christian Sites
Faithcom
Featured On
Good News Film Reviews LLC 2004-2010 - used with permission
Images, video and titles are the property of their respective copyright holders. Good News Film Reviews LLC claims no ownership or connection to them.
The views expressed on this site are not the opinion of any advertiser or external entity.
While we take care to only link to responsible entities, Good News Film Reviews LLC takes no responsibility for the content linked from this site. There are sharks in the waters. Surf at your own risk.
The Template is generated via PsycHo and is Licensed.
3 Comments:
There is no way I can remember most of the movies of the 2000s. I spent too much time raising kids, and most of the movies were lousy. I'm impressed I've seen three of these (actually 2 1/2).
Anyway, I'd put The Dark Knight in a top 50. If Tropic Thunder is on a list of anything but worst, I'll lose respect for that critic. And I DON'T think Tobi Maguire is great casting. He's the weak spot.
Expect me to disagree with you more as your list continues.
[shaking fist] Why you!
Who would have made a better Peter Parker? He's a dopey kid who is transformed into a hero. The teen awkwardness is at the center of the first film and Macguire nails it, IMO.
At least we agree on Tropic Thunder.
What, no Watchmen? ;)
Reading backwards from number one, it wasn't until this post that I found something to take issue with. Spider-man is a far inferior film to Spider-man 2. The sequel showed us a hero who strives to do the right thing in spite of misgivings and self-pity, and I think ultimately presented a worthier role model than the hero of the first film.
Otherwise the list is full of five-star winners, sprinkled lightly with a film here and there that I haven't seen yet (Brick, Diving Bell and Butterfly, a couple others).
I've come to realize upon a subsequent viewing that my personal attachment to Disney's Up is more sentimental than objective and really has more to do with my feelings for my recently departed grandfather than anything else, so I no longer champion it as the best film of the decade. My pick, I guess, would be No Country For Old Men at number one.
And I'd probably strike Wall-E to make room for the recent Where The Wild Things Are, a movie that objectively really is as good as my personal sentiment lead me to believe it is.
Darn fine list, Scott. Glad to see movies like The Lives Of Others and City of God getting the props they deserve.
Post a Comment
<< Home