With the decade wrapping up, I decided to compile a list of the twenty-five films I thought were the best of these past ten years. It has been a good ten years for film, the 00’s era has seen a lot of progress in film making, with special effects improving with every year, and incredible acting proving to be a consistent staple in many movies that are created nowadays. Honorable Mentions (these five made my Top 100 Films of All-Time List, but there are plenty other films that I enjoyed a lot this past decade):
(2000) O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2002) Signs
(2006) The Lookout (2007) Funny Games (2007) Sunshine
Top 25:
#25. (2009) Inglourious Basterds (***1/2 out of ****) – I posted an article earlier in my blog that I believe that Quentin Tarantino is a top five, maybe even top three director in the film industry. His love for the history of film is evident in his own movies, seen in boh Kill Bill films especially.He has created a fare share of masterpieces, from the ultimate gang film Reservoir Dogs to the beautiful messPulp Fiction, Tarantino has usually hit the ball out of the park with his films (the exceptions being Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Death Proof, certainlynot bad films, but both very flawed).In this film he takes on history and turns it upside down. During the reign of Hitler, a group of specially trained soldiers called the Inglourious Basterds were sent in for one purpose only, their leader (Brad Pitt) says: “Killin’ Nazis”. They go about their way killing and collecting Nazi scalps, with the ultimate goal of getting close to Hitler so that they can devise an assassination plot. Meanwhile, a cunning Nazi colonel (Christoph Waltz) is busy disposing of Jews, one of which (Melanie Laurent) escapes his grasp narrowly and becomes hell-bent on getting back at the Nazi party. When the theater she is now working at becomes the favorite to house hundreds of Nazis, including Hitler himself, she starts to create a plan of mass destruction, and this is when the Basterds come in to play. The film is divided into three main stories, with the Basterds killing, the colonel hunting, and the theater owner planning. Although there are some things that keep this from being perfect (mostly due to Eli Roth’s horrendous performance as the most infamous of the Basterds, “The Jew Hunter”), Tarantino is a master of telling stories and inserting extremely clever conversations about nothing and turning them into riveting and suspenseful scenes that usually erupt into flames by the end. Christoph Waltz gives one of the best performances seen in the last decade, he is utterly brilliant. His ability to go from charming, to hilarious, to mean, to violent, to scared is simply incredible. The acting all-around is strong (with exception to Roth) and the history re-writing slam-bang finale is only something the mind of Tarantino could create. Here’s hoping that Tarantino starts pondering whether to create a sequel to this huge hit (maybe taking place in the Korean War with a much older Pitt?), I for one would welcome it with open arms.
#24. (2000)Memento (***1/2 out of ****) – Christopher Nolan has had quite a decade. Directing a perfect film in The Dark Knight, great films like this one, Batman Begins, and Insomnia, and a solid one in The Prestige – you could make a case that he was the best director of these past ten years. In this film, he creates something so original, unique, and ultimately very re-watchable. The story sounds rather formulaic and recycled, as it concerns a man (Guy Pearce) trying to find the man who killed his wife. What Nolan does differently is he tells the story backwards, and his lead character has short-term memory loss and tattoos clues on his body in order to help himself out in tracking down his wife’s killer. Assisting him is a somewhat shady character named Teddy (Joe Pantoliano), whose real intentions are unknown. It takes guts to do a film like this, where you demand the audience’s patience when you keep rewinding and showing the same scenes over and over again, luckily with Memento there’s a huge payoff, and some. Guy Pearce, one of the most underused actors arguably out there right now, turns in a great performance as the lead character, whose constantly confused but always trying to figure everything out – even if he’ll just forget it in a short period anyway. While there are at times Memento pushed my patience a little too far in its rewinding of scenes, for the most part this movie is an absolute breath of fresh air. Never has a film been done like this, and I’d personally love to see more directors try this technique (the only other film that comes to mind is Vantage Point, which didn’t do a good job catching the audience’s attention right away and thus suffered heavily and became something completely mediocre), since it definitely requires a lot of skill, which Nolan has plenty of. All in all, Memento is a sensational film that is completely original as well as an extremely memorable viewing experience, and one that doesn’t grow tiring in repeated viewings as well, since this is a film that you will always catch something you didn’t catch the first, second, or third times around.
#23. (2009) Avatar (***1/2 out of ****) – I should’ve never doubted JamesCameron. Once I saw trailers for this film I immediately thought to myself, “What is he doing?” I now stand totally corrected. He’s doing exactly what he’s done for the last 25 years – making great and visually stunning films. This movie has been called a lot of things; “Dancing with Smurfs” is one of them. It’s essentially taking the plot of “Dances With Wolves”, inserting a rich and lively setting as opposed to the spacious and empty one, and changing things up every once in a while to make you feel like it’s original. The bottom line is, it’s not original, we’ve seen this story played out before. Does this mean it’s not a great film? Absolutely not. It’s the second best movie of 2009 and one of the better movies of the past ten years, with workmanlike performances, intense battle scenes, and eye-opening visual work. The plot concerns a crippled ex-Marine (Sam Worthington) who, after his twin brother dies, is offered the rare opportunity to take his place and travel to the planet of Pandora. Here, he will be offered the chance to embody one of the alien bodies that human scientists have created in hopes of being able to persuade the aliens residing on the planet to move away from where they are situated, since they stand above a desired mineral that our world is sorely lacking (Yes, this movie is also supposed to be a play on the War in Iraq, like us going after the oil over there). With James Cameron movies (True Lies, Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Aliens, and the overblown Titanic, an overall outstanding resume) you can expect to have a love story, and there is one between the main character Jake Scully, and one of the alien (called Nav’i) women, and it’s one that is full of chemistry and life. Also, the best performance comes from an unexpected veteran actor, Stephen Lang, as a testosterone filled colonel who’s focused on destroying everything in his path. There are many things that are special about this film, it’s just a beautiful thing to look at and the plot unfolds completely methodically. By the time this article of mine will be posted, it should still be in theaters. Do yourself a favor, go and see it in 3D. You’ll thank me later.
#22. (2006) The Descent (***1/2 out of ****) – Horror movies are a hard thing to watch these days. In this past decade, “torture-porn” films have taken off. Evidently some people derive pleasure from seeing people tortured by psycho killers who get ahigh out of what they’re doing (thank you sequels to Saw for ruining an original, creative movie and turning it into a full-blown gore-fest series that has inspired other morally bankrupt films). It’s nice that movies like The Descent come out every few years, a film that leaves both out of the equation and instead focuses on group dynamics and how to scare you the right way. I recently upgraded this to the best horror film of the decade, beating out the likes of the first Saw ever so narrowly. To put it simply, this film is a near-masterpiece that I didn’t see coming. It accomplishes that claustrophobic feeling so many directors and writers crave for but rarely achieve this well. The plot is pretty simple, it concerns six women who, after one of them is involved in a horrible accident, elect a year later to go exploring in some caves located in the Appalachian Mountains. As they start to get into trouble exploring these “undiscovered” caves, they also realize that they might not be alone, and whatever it is they fear is after them might not even be human. What sounds like a disastrous monster movie actually plays out to be a fascinating and suspenseful exercise in human emotions as well as survival instincts, and tensions start to mount as things go awry. The midway point features a tone change so violent, yet so perfect considering where these girls are, it’ll keep you gripped all the way to its shocking conclusion. Although it’s gory, bloody, and disgusting at times – this is everything a horror film should be. Enough character development to make you sympathize for the characters, a look into how sturdy relationships become once trouble arises, and a rough, hard-hitting last 1/3 that doesn’t give you any room to breathe or any hope that any of these girls will make it out alive. Although there are some problems I had with how the plot unfolds near the end, this is undeniably the best horror film made in the last ten years, and its epic score featured near the end should especially blow you away.
#21. (2006) United 93 (**** out of ****) – September 11th is a tough thing to cover when it comes to making a movie. Who wants to actually go to the movies and relive one of the most agonizing days in American history? Not only that, you know how the movie is going to end, and it’s an ending you don’t want to happen. While some find United 93 to be an insult to those that lost their lives on that fateful day, I find it to be a quiet masterpiece, one that honors the American spirit that took place on this aircraft when the words, “Let’s roll”, changed the trajectory of the plane’s path as well as American history. What takes place on the aircraft is complete fiction, as director Paul Greengrass imagines what it must have been like to be on that plane. What he concocts is as frightening as it is realistic. Instead of casting mega movie stars to play the heroes on board that day, this cast is full of unknowns. Everything that takes place in the movie feels organic, including the emotionally heavy last sequence in which Americans attempt to take charge of the plane from the group of terrorists that seized control shortly after lift-off. As expected, this is not an easy movie to watch, and it will definitely choke you up (especially the finale which features an intense and courageous storm brigade of the passengers on board), however, it’s an important reminder that although evil and destruction were seen a lot on that day, heroism also took place in the skies above. Maybe not the exact way the Greengrass depicts it, but there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that it definitely took place, and as tear-jerking and painful as it is to watch, it’s an important film that should be seen by every American.
#20. (2006) The Passion of the Christ (**** out of ****) – Who would’ve thought Mel Gibson would be one of the best directors of this past decade? Nailing two films perfectly and reminding everyone once again that although he might be crazy, he still knows how to make great films. As expected with this film, it’s a completely polarizing one. Some claim that it’s totally Anti-Semitic and propaganda, while the other side (mostly Catholics and Christians) claim it’s a brave, uncompromising, emotional look on the last days of Jesus Christ. I’m in the latter, since I myself am a Christian, and have been forced to see many films before about the life of Jesus. So there you have it, I was biased before I saw the film, and I’m biased as I defend it now as one of the defining and important films of the 2000’s. Whether you agree with Gibson’s religious views or not, this is a devastating film. It’s a movie that is full of blood and scenes of intense torture, and one that is not easily digested.While other films about the life of Jesus have sugarcoated and censored some of the horrific acts the Son of God had to go through in his last day on Earth, Gibson holds nothing back. By the time He’s carrying His cross, you’re wondering how He’s even still alive. Jim Caviezel gives a career-defining (and possibly career-ending) performance as Jesus, as Caviezel himself was struck by lightning three times while up on the cross before they started filming those scenes. It’s definitely one of the most important religious films ever done, and one that serves as the ultimate look at what the Son of God had to suffer through in order to die for our sins.
#19. (2000) Requiem for a Dream (**** out of ****) – Drug use is an almost an overused and tired theme in movies nowadays. We get it, drugs do bad things to people, relationships, you name it – they suck. Not many drug movies are like this one though, not many movies attempt to actually make their audience feel that they’re as high as the characters while watching the story unfold. Wonder-kid Darren Aronofsky (whose first feature Pi was incredibly offbeat, and whose latest feature The Wrestler was a near-masterpiece) directed this enthralling motion-picture that centers around four characters and their addictions to drugs, whether it be pharmaceutical (seen in the Ellen Burstyn character) or illegal narcotics (the underappreciated Jared Leto and the surprisingly versatile Marlon Wayans). While it is a very hard viewing and certainly not fun or entertaining at any stretches (unless you count the monster refrigerator scenes), it is an eye-opening, sickening, and overall memorable experience. The distressing soundtrack is amplified to an almost overbearing tone as these four characters finally start to see their lives unravel. This movie is a ravaging beast, stomping out any potential hope or salvation the characters as well as the viewers have when the story starts to spiral out of control. The performances all-around are, as expected, outstanding, especially Ellyn Burstyn, a veteran actress whose tortured turn as a claustrophobic, game-show watching addict is just as harrowing as her son who is addicted to hardcore drugs that is ruining the relationship he has with his girlfriend (the always reliable Jennifer Connelly). Definitely not a film for everyone, but undoubtedly an experience that won’t be forgotten easily – this is definitely one of the most harrowing drug movies ever made.
#18. (2000)Cast Away (**** out of ****) – Solitude is something you don’t see a lot of in movies. You usually see films with lots of people walking around, some supporting characters, and one or two lead characters. Not just Tom Hanks and volleyball for most of the running time, which would be absurd, right? Give a lot of credit to Hanks for turning a story about a Fed Ex worker who is involved in a threatening plane crash, and survives for five years on a remote island, into something both captivating as well as humorous from time to time (Wilson!). Not many actors could pull something like this off, but since director Robert Zemeckis worked with him before in one of the iconic films of the 90’s in Forrest Gump, he knew Hanks could do the job. This film serves as a fascinating character study of a man who slowly starts to face the fact that no one is coming for him, and that he must do his best to adapt to his new environment immediately. The best parts of the film are the “conversations” he has with his bloody-faced volleyball friend Wilson. Wilson serves as Hanks’ motivator apparently, since he frequently gets upset with him and lets him know it, sometimes in violent fashion. The last 1/3 of the film is a masterstroke by Zemeckis, as we realize there might be hope of an escape after all, and Hanks, who still has some sanity left in him, seizes the opportunity. Tom Hanks has been one of the best and most reliable actors in the last twenty years, and it’s a shame his acting career has been heavily diminished as of the last two-three years. This film doesn’t just ask, but demands Hanks carry the movie on his shoulders completely, and not surprisingly, he completes this task admirably. Surviving on an island is nothing new in cinema, we’ve seen it before, but Cast Away serves as the ideal film when it comes to this theme.
#17. (2006) Children of Men (**** out of ****) – Apocalyptic thrillers, ifdeveloped correctly, can be unremittingly bleak and intensely riveting (12 Monkeys comes to mind), or completely pretentious and overbearingly formulaic and predictable (basically anything directed by Roland Emmerich, the creator of 2012). Children of Men is luckily the first of the two cases, and it gets everything right. From a rugged lead character (the always reliable Clive Owen), to a colorful supporting character (is there any role Michael Caine can’t pull off?), a depressed mood, realistic camera shots, an unpredictable plot – all while providing one last ray of light for the survival of humanity. In 2027, when the human race is slowly sinking into extinction due to its inability to procreate, a downbeat, cynical middle-aged man (Owen) escapes from being killed at the coffee shop he visits frequently. After this, he has a run-in with his ex-wife, where he is let in on an incredible secret – a young woman is pregnant. One of the most memorable parts of the movie comes near the end, when the camera doesn’t stop running for three minutes straight, even when blood and dirt is splotched on to it. What could come across as being completely amateurish comes off feeling incredibly authentic and very ambitious. This film, in addition to being very well acted, exemplifies everything an apocalyptic thriller should be. It’s a movie that knows how to crush us, suck us into its characters, as well as provide a realistic, daring scenario in which not all is bad – there is still hope for us after all. For these reasons, Children of Men definitely deserves a spot on this list.
#16. (2006) Apocalypto (**** out of ****) – Put your feelings about Mel Gibson aside for a minute and try to forget that he’s a total hypocrite, an anti-Semite, and a cheating, backstabbing husband who recently left his wife and seven children for a younger, prettier model (they now have a son together). So yeah, I don’t like Gibson anymore (I loved his work when I was growing up and respected him as a person due to his seemingly strong family values and seriousness about his religion. I still admire him as an actor – but he falls under Sean Penn territory for me, that being he’s a terrific actor, but seems like a total douche), but when it comes to movies, whether it be directing or acting in them, he’s undeniably talented. The fact is, no matter how much bad press this guy has accumulated over the last five years or so, despite how incredibly arrogant and foolish of a person he is, this does not mean he doesn’t know how to make a great movie (seen before with Braveheart). Apocalypto concerns the story of a young man trapped in the middle of a crucial transition in world history, as well as trying to escape from those that have taken him captive and are prepared to make him a human sacrifice during the days of the declining Mayan Empire. What Gibson constructs is an adrenaline rush for the ages, as we follow his lead character, Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood) through the gorgeous rainforests and majestic waterfalls of Central America in hopes of escaping the ruthless hunters that are after him. This movie contains some insane chase scenes, the most absurd “giving birth” scene arguably in cinematic history, and a twist ending that should shock you. So please, we all know Gibson might be a total tool now, but don’t let this affect your judgment on whether or not the guy knows what he’s doing. Apocalypto is a thrilling and pulse-pounding ride.
#15. (2008)Slumdog Millionaire (**** out of ****) – Danny Boyle is as versatile a director as you’ll get nowadays. He has toppled the drug trade (the memorableTrainspotting), the zombie-apocalypse genre (28 Days Later), the sci-fi field (Sunshine), and now the ghettos of India in this dramatic, but flamboyant film about a poor orphan who made it big on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? With a sizzling soundtrack, an array of colors, lovable characters, and an enthralling plot – this is his masterpiece (as demonstrated when the film won Best Picture and he won Best Director). It’s an energetic and lively story concerning some very distressing events that happened in the main character’s (Dev Patel) life, and how these life experiences led him to being able to answer all the questions he was faced with so far on the show correctly. This should be a depressing and saddening story, and it certainly is at parts. The tone however is surprisingly upbeat and occasionally humorous, as Boyle skillfully shows how Patel and his brother survived by stealing food off of trains (all while M.I.A.’s hit single “Paper Planes” is blasting away), as well as being quick on their feet and brave when called upon. The element that gives this movie so much life is the love story between Patel and the girl (the gorgeous Freida Pinto) he keeps running into. This is an overall wonderful movie, and arguably the biggest Indie-movie sensation of the last ten years, as not only did it storm on to the scene to collect many awards, but it also acquired an admiring fan base that will continue to treasure this gem for years to come.
#14. (2007) Gone Baby Gone (**** out of ****) – For almost inexplicable reasons, Ben Affleck’s acting career came to a sudden halt for a good three-four year period during the mid 2000’s. Personally, I’ve always found Affleck to be a capable actor, maybe not a lead man like many directors tried to make him during the early 2000’s, but definitely a dependable supporting actor (seen most recently in the very average Extract, he made the movie watchable up to a degree). During this surprising lull, he opted to bring Dennis Lehane’s (who also wrote Mystic River) emotional story concerning the kidnapping of a little girl to the big screen. With Ben at the helms, he decided to call upon little brother Casey (whose acting career took off in 2007 due to this film and the overrated film The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – in which he was the best part in that pretentious garbage) to be the lead in the story, as a private detective who is hired by the girl’s family to help track her down. From an acting standpoint, Affleck gets what he wants - an appropriately restrained but confident lead performance from Casey Affleck, a vicious and intense supporting one from the always great Ed Harris (as a weathered cop whose seen it all), and a coming-out Oscar nominated performance from Amy Ryan (playing the drug-addicted mother of the missing girl). From a narrative standpoint, it’s virtually flawless. Affleck makes us see all the sides of his characters, both good and bad (even the guys you’re rooting for are very flawed), and this sucks you in to the story and makes you care about the dangerous situations these people put themselves in. To top it all off, he hits us with an emotionally crippling ending that makes his lead character, as well as his audience, ask themselves, “What is the right thing to do here?” The worst part about it, even when the decision is made – neither the character nor the audience knows if it is the right answer in the long run, as the film closes on a surprisingly ominous and somber note. It is an utter abomination that this film was only nominated for one Oscar (Ed Harris for Best Supporting Actor, Ben Affleck for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Screenplay? Wake up Academy! This movie deserved to be nominated in all of these categories), it is definitely one of the best movies of the year 2007, and one of the more involving and disturbing detective stories seen on screen in the last ten years.
#13. (2006) The Departed (**** out of ****) – It’s widely acknowledged that Martin Scorsese is one of the best directors in the last thirty-some years. With classics such as Raging Bull and Goodfellas and other highly celebrated films like Taxi Driver (which I find to be highly overrated), Scorsese is known to be the master of telling stories concerning tough guys who aren’t the best of people. This movie concerns a young man (Matt Damon) who grew up under the watch of a notorious gangster (Jack Nicholson, who didn’t even get a nomination for this performance – a travesty), and how he molded the young boy to become an inside man for his group - as a member of the police. Meanwhile, the police, intensely focused on bringing this mob man down, decide to send a man of their own (Leonardo DiCaprio) in to try to gain inside information. With a cast that includes DiCaprio, Nicholson, Damon as the leads, and Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, and Martin Sheen in supporting roles, you expect greatness. Scorsese doesn’t disappoint. This is one of the best crime thrillers released in the last ten years, with enthralling performances from its cast that keep you on edge for the entire viewing. The last fifteen minutes of the movie should blow you mind (for one of the characters, this unfortunately happens – literally), with twists and turns that occur even after the main plot is all but over. Scorsese constructs each character aptly, from the damaged DiCaprio, to the bullying Wahlberg, and even Nicholson’s number two guy (an exceptional Ray Winstone). This movie is no walk in the park; it’s brutal, mean, and bloody all the way through. With a film directed by Scorsese though, one should expect nothing less.
#12. (2008) The Dark Knight (**** out of ****) – I had a feeling that after I saw Christopher Nolan take over the helms of the Batman series and direct the invigorating film Batman Begins that we would be in store for something special in his sophomore effort. I wasn’t disappointed. The Dark Knight might be the most iconic film from this decade, and certainly deserves a spot on this list. Maybe it’s due in large part to the death of Heath Ledger, which added an extra edge of somberness to this already dark story. Perhaps it’s because Nolan just knows the Batman story better than the jokesters who made the childish and forgettable Batman films from the 90’s. Instead of being goofy and silly, Nolan is strictly business when it comes to chronicling how Batman came to be. The plot of this movie revolves around the sinister Joker (Ledger), who is hell-bent on exposing Batman, as well as playing games with the citizens of Gotham City. This couldn’t be coming at a worse time however, as Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) is extremely focused on eradicating the reputation Gotham City has for corruption and violence. Meanwhile, Batman (Christian Bale) is just doing his thing. Heath Ledger steals the show here, as he creates a character so entirely vicious, cruel, and dare I say – funny, that he is by far one of the most recognizable villains in film history. This is a special film, the best superhero movie ever made, and the 2000’s have certainly been the era of superhero movies. This is Nolan’s masterpiece, his Empire Strikes Back, if you will, this film is perfect in every way possible, from both a narrative and character development approach, it will definitely stay in your mind.
#11. (2003) City of God (**** out of ****) – If you want to see a film that fully embodies bleakness, City of God is that movie. This riveting story concerns a young boy who grows up in the slums of Rio Di Janero and decides that he doesn’t want to adopt the violent lifestyle many of his neighbors adapt to when they become young adults. When he becomes a young adult, he takes an interest in photography, and this leads to him capturing the violence and chaos that surrounds him on a daily basis, in all its soullessness and ugliness. This is a real downer of a story, a film so full of violence and a high body count, but an undeniably powerful and important film that serves as an eye-opening look into some depraved South American societies in which violence is the norm, and the more violent and infamous you are, the better chance you have at surviving and being protected. Definitely not for the weak stomachs, it’s a cruel, harsh, and ultimately uncompromising look at a brutal society that is only digging itself deeper into a hole. The way this film is shot is extremely impressive, directors Meirelles and Lund really capture the dirty, decrepit environment that the lead character, named Busca-Pe, is forced to grow up in.
#10. (2000) Gladiator (**** out of ****) – Let it be known, Ridley Scott is one of my favorite directors (although Kingdom of Heaven was a misfire, American Gangster, Body of Lies, Alien, Matchstick Men, and the pre-mentioned Black Hawk Down are all excellent films). Most people I know have seen this epic film, concerning Maximus, a former general of the Roman army (Russell Crowe) who is betrayed by his own country after a jealous prince (Joaquin Phoenix) murders his father, the King (Richard Harris) who has decided that Maximus will be the next King after he passes on. Once the prince becomes King, and Maximus fails to acknowledge him as his liege, he is ordered to be executed, only to escape and eventually captured again, where he is sold into the gladiator business. A somewhat complicated timeline, but Scott does a great job making us feel for Maximus, especially in a gripping scene where he discovers his son’s and wife’s dead bodies, slayed by the Roman Army as ordered by the new King. This is a blood-soaked movie that features some memorable fight scenes between Maximus and his fellow gladiators, and the CGI incredibly re-creates the legendary Coliseum. For Crowe, this would be his career-defining performance, a man so full of hate and vengeful spite for the King that he no longer really feels anything anymore. Phoenix’s performance is also impressive, as he wonderfully colors a very pathetic character who is as bad a ruler as he was a son to his father. There is also a nicely integrated love-triangle between the King, Maximus, and the King’s sister (Connie Nielson), which sounds ridiculous, but it works surprisingly well. This is an overall glorious film, featuring phenomenal acting and some fabulous cinematography, and an appropriate ending that is heart-wrenching in one way, but truly satisfying in another as well.
#9. (2001) Mulholland Dr. (**** out of ****) – If you’ve ever seen a David Lynch movie, you know at least one thing. It’s just plain weird. Lynch has a knack for inserting a creepy, yet stylishly creative surreal-like nature to his films, whether it be the over-rated Blue Velvet (which is widely considered his best film – it isn’t), the hit 90’s TV show Twin Peaks, or the decent but forgettable Lost Highway. To me, Mulholland Dr. is his masterpiece. The story concerns an ambitious young actress (Naomi Watts) who comes to California in hopes of fulfilling her acting aspirations. However, the home her aunt has loaned to her for the time being is currently being occupied by a car accident victim (Laura Harring), who stumbled in after suffering a nasty bump on the head and as a result, can’t remember who she is or how she got there. There are a few interpretations to what this entire movie means, but this is just the basic plotline. As this film goes along, it just gets more weird, more unsettling, and, by the time you’ve finished it, you’ll be asking yourself, “What in the world did I just watch?” (Here’s a hint, approach this movie as if you were watching a really strange dream unfold, and it might make some sense…maybe). This is a special kind of movie, definitely not for all tastes, but one that really pulls the rug out from you during the last twenty minutes or so. During this time, Naomi Watts was just another unknown actress, like her character in this film, and this proved to be her breakout performance, creating a character that is both energetic and sympathetic – at least that’s how she’d like to think herself as being, in the movie. The rest of the movie is full of mostly unknowns, but from a collective acting standpoint, it’s well-executed. The real treat is watching this crazy, nightmarish story unfold, and how each character shows their real self once the truth slowly starts to come out. Be prepared to get blown away by this film.
#8. (2002) The 25th Hour (**** out of ****) – Spike Lee and Edward Norton with a story set in New York City? That’s all it took to convince me to check this movie out, and I’m glad I did. When a middle-class drug dealer (Edward Norton) is sentenced to serve a seven year jail sentence, he reflects on his past mistakes and who could’ve possibly sold him out to the police. The film covers the character’s last day before he has to report for his term, and it includes him inviting his two best friends (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Barry Pepper, who couldn’t be more different) to a party, as well as his girlfriend (Rosario Dawson), who he is suspecting to possibly be the one who told on him. The biggest thing this film does is include the haunting aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, seen through Barry Pepper’s character, who lives in an apartment complex right next to the site, and who tells Hoffman’s character, “Bin Laden could drop another one right next door, I ain’t leaving.” Lee effectively captures the “tough-guy” nature of some of his characters, as well as the pain, betrayal, and anger some of them feel towards one another. The acting is simply sensational, with Norton turning in another awesome performance as a conflicted man who is trying to live it up during his last day of freedom. Rosario Dawson turns in a virtually flawless supporting performance as his girlfriend, she’s never been better. Pepper and Hoffman are also incredible as two very arrogant men in different ways, and ones that have internal battles raging on deep inside of them. Brian Cox, while providing the film’s memorable last scene narration, is also outstanding as the father of Norton’s character, who feels very guilty about not providing his son with a better way of life growing up. It’s a film that possesses a dark atmosphere, troubled characters, and a two-faced conclusion that works out perfectly.I haven’t seen that many Spike Lee films, admittedly (Do the Right Thing is on my list of things to see), but this is just a great movie. There’s no other way to put it.
#7. (2003) Big Fish (**** out of ****) – When I was growing up, I wasn’t a Tim Burton fan. His style just wasn’t to my liking, extremely dark stories with weird characters that just never grew on me. Nowadays, I’m a big fan of his. This film is a huge reason why.When a successful young man (Billy Crudup) with a child on the way discovers that his father (Albert Finney) doesn’t have too much longer to live, he decides to pay him a visit, even though he can’t stand his father’s “childish” stories which exaggerate elements of his life into one big fairytale. Most of the film concerns his father’s “life”, and the big fairy tale stories that the father still loves telling even when he’s on his deathbed. This film is like the classic The Wizard of Oz in so many ways, and somehow, it outdoes it from an imagination standpoint. This film is rich with extremely weird, funny, and sometimes depressed individuals who have, in one way or another, been touched by the life of the lead character – Edward Bloom. The younger version of Bloom, played by Ewan McGregor, is full of life and vigor that he’s almost impossible not to like. This is McGregor at his best, his performance really carries this movie. Both Billy Crudup and Albert Finney are also admirable, each knowing their relationship is strained and they are very different people, but in the end, they discover that doesn’t matter. The highlight of the movie is when Crudup starts making up his own preposterous story to his dad, it’s an immensely touching scene (nearly tear-jerking) as well as a cleverly put-together and somber but still humorous one. This is a perfect blown-up fairly tale story that only a twisted mind like Tim Burton could put on the screen. To put it simply, this is an underrated masterpiece, a family friendly film that is incredibly creative but also shows it has something to say about relationships, especially with family members who we might not get along with.
#6. (2002) Mystic River (**** out of ****) –When you think “Clint Eastwood”, probably the first thought that comes to mind is that he’s considered one of the great actors of the last forty years or so. When you think of great directors, his name doesn’t pop into mind probably at first. It should. Eastwood has conducted some admirable movies in his career, with his best being this film. Here, he tells the story of three childhood friends, who were separated after an ugly incident that concerned one of them (a haunted Tim Robbins) and how they are reunited years later after one of them suffers greatly after his daughter is murdered in cold blood. The father (Sean Penn) is beside himself with guilt, and he will not rest until he finds his daughter’s killer. To help him is the last friend (Kevin Bacon), a cop who makes this his number one priority. The victim of the horrible act committed at the opening of the movie, is also a suspect, since he arrived home late that very night the girl was murdered with blood on his hands, with a made-up sounding story as to what happened to boot. This is the best crime/drama I’ve seen this decade. Eastwood beautifully intertwines three emotionally heavy stories into one, as he effectively develops each of his characters. As far as performances go, both Sean Penn and Tim Robbins are exceptional, creating two very believable, messed-up characters that both reproduce the violence dealt to them, and eventually each starts to slowly throw common sense and trust out the window. Marcia Gay Harden, who plays the wife of Robbins, is also outstanding as a wife who doesn’t know what to believe anymore, and whose relationship with her still emotionally traumatized husband is beginning to unravel. The ending is also haunting and a big downer, although expertly written and utterly unforgettable. This is a movie that will stay with you for a long time, as it is one that has a lot to say about friendship, trust, and personal history.
#5. (2009) District 9 (**** out of ****) – It’s weird for me to rate a summer film this high in my list, since a majority of the great movies that come out are released around late November-early December-ish. It’s a shame that Inglourious Basterds (a great and extraordinary film, no less) took away a lot of the press and attention from this film. To me, District 9 was not only the best movie of the summer, but a top five movie from these past ten years. The story concerns a world in which aliens have lived amongst us for some twenty years, and instead of blowing them to bits and pieces when they first arrived, we welcomed them into our world. They are located in Johannesburg, South Africa, where they live among the slums of that region. The film is in ways a comparison to some of the social turmoil taking place in that very same area, but ultimately it elects to take a slightly different path. While it is fascinating as a culture study, no doubt, it gets really good when its lead character undergoes an immense transformation. Wikis van de Merwe (played by rookie actor Sharlto Copley) becomes fully involved in the project of escorting the aliens out of District 9 due to the corruption as well as the idea that moving the aliens to a safer, “better” place is in the best interests of both parties. Of course, things don’t go as smoothly as they should be, and thus the plot goes in a tangent that I certainly did not see coming. A lot of credit has to go to how this movie is filmed, much like in the Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield hand-held camera style. The commentary by some renowned “experts” of the “District 9” events is also a stroke of genius by young director Neill Blomkamp. Sharlto Copley’s extremely touching and roaring performance as a man caught in the middle of very ugly and violent circumstances is simply phenomenal. Copley, whose acting resume only includes a small part in a shorter version of this film playing the same character, is Oscar-nominee good, but I fear this performance will get overlooked, sadly. Aliens are definitely a recycled and unoriginal theme in cinema. However, District 9 brings a brave originality as well as sympathy to those big bad aliens, as Blomkamp somehow makes us feel for these creatures and our mistreatment of them. This movie is a great testimony that hand-held camera shot films can be incredibly successful and exciting if filmed and plotted correctly. Peter Jackson can add another notch to his belt for assisting in producing this wildly creative thriller.
#4. (2001) Black Hawk Down (**** out of ****) – I might catch some flak for what I’m about to say. Black Hawk Down is not only the best war movie ever made, it is also one of the most intense, gritty, and realistic action films ever constructed. Ridley Scott, whose resume includes classics such as Alien and Gladiator, constructs a masterpiece of a movie. This movie, about the military involvement in the chaos surrounding the African county of Somalia during 1993, is consistently involving and never boring or contains any “filler” time. Scott colors his characters well-enough for us to care about their safety and well-being, as soon as he does this, its full-steam ahead. A majority of the scenes are explosive and rip-roaring, Scott never lets up and after a while, like the characters, you feel like you are in the middle of Hell. I’ll admit I was very skeptical before I watched this movie, since I wasn’t the biggest Josh Hartnett fan after his performance in the overblown Pearl Harbor. Here however, he doesn’t really have to demand your attention, and this proves to be a good choice, as his lead performance is believable and never over-the-top (If Shia LaBeouf was casted in the lead, assuming he was 20-22 at the time, oh man this movie might have been weighed down big time). William Fichtner (a vastly underrated character actor) and Ewan McGregor also turn in well-rounded performances. If you like in your face action that doesn’t go overboard (I’m looking at you, Michael Bay), this is a perfect movie to watch. In my eyes it’s a perfect and arresting movie concerning a small group of very brave men who were sent into desperate and chaotic streets. If you like movies about what true American heroes are all about, look no further than this exciting and triumphant film.
#3. (2007) Superbad (**** out of ****) –Many will probably be surprised I rank this film this high. For the decade? Really?! What can I say? This is one hysterical, brutally honest, surprisingly realistic movie that has a sick, twisted, perverted sense of humor and self-centered characters that you, almost inexplicably, come to care for by the end of the film. It’s no secret that Judd Apatow is a master of comedy. He has completely revived and restructured what a great comedy is about. Even the idiots of stupidland show sides of sweetness and sympathy that ring true, and as a result, they win you over to their side, no matter how wrong, vulgar, lazy, or socially unacceptable they may be. That is a very difficult task to accomplish, but Apatow has shown his skill of conquering this difficult task time and time again. The basic plotline of Superbad is that two best friends, approaching the end of their high school career, hear about a party happening at one of the hot girls (Emma Stone) in their class’s house.One of them (Jonah Hill, in a spasmodic, out of control, utterly hilarious performance), desperate to get with her, convinces his awkward and shy best friend (Michael Cera, perfectly cast) to help him with this mission. They decide that the “one friend in a group of friends that nobody likes” as Dane Cook once said, Fogel (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) is their man for getting a fake ID and thus, getting alcohol so that they can provide the goods for the party. I won’t reveal much more of the plotline, even though I’m convinced most everybody in my age group has seen this, but just know that, in addition to Mintz-Plasse, two brain-dead cops (Seth Rogen and Bill Hader) absolutely steal the show. To put it simply, this is my favorite comedy. No, it’s not for everyone, it’s not supposed to be for everyone. But when this movie was released, I was about to enter my senior year of high school. To me, this movie couldn’t have been released at a more perfect time. The dialogue, while extremely vulgar, as expected, is incredibly brilliant, and the performances are outstanding all-around. This is one movie that I will want to see over and over again, and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it at least 10-12 times already. I’m still not tired of it.
#2. (2001-2003) TheLord of the Rings Trilogy (**** out of ****) -Coming in at a close second is this fabulous series, orchestrated by director Peter Jackson, who puts J.R.R. Tolkien’s visionary tale of the middle age on screen in visually stunning fashion. Besides the original Star Wars trilogy, this is the best three-part story ever put on screen. The story is rather complicated, so I’ll put it as simply as I can. The lovable Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), a hobbit (basically a midget with very hairy feet), is unfortunate enough to discover that his uncle Bilbo (Ian Holm) is carrying a ring that involves evil and obsession, among many other dishonorable traits. Determined to destroy this ring, Frodo embarks with his close hobbit friends (Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd), on a journey in which the destination is Mount Doom, where the ring shall be cast into the fiery pit it was assembled in. Oh, and this is the only way the ring can be destroyed. And if that isn’t hard enough, Frodo and his posse must do this while being stalked and hunted by vicious creatures who desire the ring’s power as much as it’s possessor does after he/she has it for some time, and Frodo begins to discover this haunting truth as the journey becomes extremely perilous. They are not alone in their quest for the ring’s destruction, however, as the courageous warrior Aragon (Viggo Mortensen), the sharp-shooting elf Legalos (Orlando Bloom), the pugnacious dwarf Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), and the strong, powerful wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) all elect to assist their small friends. To put it simply, this is an extraordinary series, a sprawling epic that is expertly acted, incredibly shot, and undeniably powerful in many aspects. As far as the acting go, both Ian McKellen and Viggo Mortensen (whose career flourished after this series) turn in the best performances as two commanding leaders who instill faith and courage in their companions. This might be the most beautiful story I’ve seen on screen, Peter Jackson deserves a ton of credit for taking such a deep and richly detailed novel series and turning it into arguably, the defining films of this decade. If you haven’t seen all, or at least one of these movies yet – you haven’t lived.
#1. (2007) Into the Wild (**** out of ****) – This is my all-time favorite film. It took four viewings of this movie for me to finally say, without question, that this is the one movie that I would want to watch over and over again if I only had one movie in the world to watch. I don’t know where to even begin with this film. The plot, based on a true story, is about the life of Christopher McCandless, a young man who rebelled against the norms of society and instead chose to pursue the ultimate adventure – a cross-country trip in which Alaska was his ultimate destination. Along the way, he meets some incredible people, including a loving, hippie couple (played beautifully by the very likable Catherine Keener and first-time actor Brian Dierker), a partying redneck farmer (played to perfection by a subdued Vince Vaughn), a lonely old man (played by Hal Holbrook, who gives the best supporting performance I’ve ever seen in a film, he will bring you to tears), and an attractive young musician (Kristen Stewart, before her “Twilight” fame). It’s ironic that this film is directed by Sean Penn, who has not been shy in his personal life blasting America and its many faults. Here, he shows everything that is beautiful about this country, the majestic mountains, the peaceful fields, and the haunting, chilling, beauty of Alaska in particular. The characters are rich and detailed expertly, Penn makes you care for each character McCandless runs into. I can’t say enough about the lead performance by Emile Hirsch. He embodies Chris. There’s not one moment in the film where you say “hey it’s Emile Hirsch”, you truly believe that he IS Christopher McCandless, and that you are with Chris as he encounters massive obstacles, including his final one – Alaska. Eddie Vedder’s soundtrack is also quiet, but unmistakably powerful. As already said, I can’t say enough about this movie. Yes, it’s long, yes, it’s very artsy and expects its viewer to have a love for settings and a story driven by character development. In every aspect however, this is a perfect movie, my favorite movie, and without question, the best film of this decade.
(2009) Inglourious Basterds (***1/2 out of ****) – I posted an article earlier in my blog that I believe that Quentin Tarantino is a top five, maybe even top three director in the film industry. His love for the history of film is evident in his own movies, seen in boh Kill Bill films especially. He has created a fare share of masterpieces, from the ultimate gang film Reservoir Dogs to the beautiful mess Pulp Fiction, Tarantino has usually hit the ball out of the park with his films (the exceptions being Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Death Proof, certainly not bad films, but both very flawed). In this film he takes on history and turns it upside down. During the reign of Hitler, a group of specially trained soldiers called the Inglourious Basterds were sent in for one purpose only, their leader (Brad Pitt) says: “Killin’ Nazis”. They go about their way killing and collecting Nazi scalps, with the ultimate goal of getting close to Hitler so that they can devise an assassination plot. Meanwhile, a cunning Nazi colonel (Christoph Waltz) is busy disposing of Jews, one of which (Melanie Laurent) escapes his grasp narrowly and becomes hell-bent on getting back at the Nazi party. When the theater she is now working at becomes the favorite to house hundreds of Nazis, including Hitler himself, she starts to create a plan of mass destruction, and this is when the Basterds come in to play. The film is divided into three main stories, with the Basterds killing, the colonel hunting, and the theater owner planning. Although there are some things that keep this from being perfect (mostly due to Eli Roth’s horrendous performance as the most infamous of the Basterds, “The Jew Hunter”), Tarantino is a master of telling stories and inserting extremely clever conversations about nothing and turning them into riveting and suspenseful scenes that usually erupt into flames by the end. Christoph Waltz gives one of the best performances seen in the last decade, he is utterly brilliant. His ability to go from charming, to hilarious, to mean, to violent, to scared is simply incredible. The acting all-around is strong (with exception to Roth) and the history re-writing slam-bang finale is only something the mind of Tarantino could create. Here’s hoping that Tarantino starts pondering whether to create a sequel to this huge hit (maybe taking place in the Korean War with a much older Pitt?), I for one would welcome it with open arms.
#11. (2003) City of God (**** out of ****) – If you want to see a film that fully embodies bleakness, City of God is that movie. This riveting story concerns a young boy who grows up in the slums of Rio Di Janero and decides that he doesn’t want to adopt the violent lifestyle many of his neighbors adapt to when they become young adults. When he becomes a young adult, he takes an interest in photography, and this leads to him capturing the violence and chaos that surrounds him on a daily basis, in all its soullessness and ugliness. This is a real downer of a story, a film so full of violence and a high body count, but an undeniably powerful and important film that serves as an eye-opening look into some depraved South American societies in which violence is the norm, and the more violent and infamous you are, the better chance you have at surviving and being protected. Definitely not for the weak stomachs, it’s a cruel, harsh, and ultimately uncompromising look at a brutal society that is only digging itself deeper into a hole. The way this film is shot is extremely impressive, directors Meirelles and Lund really capture the dirty, decrepit environment that the lead character, named Busca-Pe, is forced to grow up in.
#9. (2001) Mulholland Dr. (**** out of ****) – If you’ve ever seen a David Lynch movie, you know at least one thing. It’s just plain weird. Lynch has a knack for inserting a creepy, yet stylishly creative surreal-like nature to his films, whether it be the over-rated Blue Velvet (which is widely considered his best film – it isn’t), the hit 90’s TV show Twin Peaks, or the decent but forgettable Lost Highway. To me, Mulholland Dr. is his masterpiece. The story concerns an ambitious young actress (Naomi Watts) who comes to California in hopes of fulfilling her acting aspirations. However, the home her aunt has loaned to her for the time being is currently being occupied by a car accident victim (Laura Harring), who stumbled in after suffering a nasty bump on the head and as a result, can’t remember who she is or how she got there. There are a few interpretations to what this entire movie means, but this is just the basic plotline. As this film goes along, it just gets more weird, more unsettling, and, by the time you’ve finished it, you’ll be asking yourself, “What in the world did I just watch?” (Here’s a hint, approach this movie as if you were watching a really strange dream unfold, and it might make some sense…maybe). This is a special kind of movie, definitely not for all tastes, but one that really pulls the rug out from you during the last twenty minutes or so. During this time, Naomi Watts was just another unknown actress, like her character in this film, and this proved to be her breakout performance, creating a character that is both energetic and sympathetic – at least that’s how she’d like to think herself as being, in the movie. The rest of the movie is full of mostly unknowns, but from a collective acting standpoint, it’s well-executed. The real treat is watching this crazy, nightmarish story unfold, and how each character shows their real self once the truth slowly starts to come out. Be prepared to get blown away by this film.
#8. (2002) The 25th Hour (**** out of ****) – Spike Lee and Edward Norton with a story set in New York City? That’s all it took to convince me to check this movie out, and I’m glad I did. When a middle-class drug dealer (Edward Norton) is sentenced to serve a seven year jail sentence, he reflects on his past mistakes and who could’ve possibly sold him out to the police. The film covers the character’s last day before he has to report for his term, and it includes him inviting his two best friends (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Barry Pepper, who couldn’t be more different) to a party, as well as his girlfriend (Rosario Dawson), who he is suspecting to possibly be the one who told on him. The biggest thing this film does is include the haunting aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, seen through Barry Pepper’s character, who lives in an apartment complex right next to the site, and who tells Hoffman’s character, “Bin Laden could drop another one right next door, I ain’t leaving.” Lee effectively captures the “tough-guy” nature of some of his characters, as well as the pain, betrayal, and anger some of them feel towards one another. The acting is simply sensational, with Norton turning in another awesome performance as a conflicted man who is trying to live it up during his last day of freedom. Rosario Dawson turns in a virtually flawless supporting performance as his girlfriend, she’s never been better. Pepper and Hoffman are also incredible as two very arrogant men in different ways, and ones that have internal battles raging on deep inside of them. Brian Cox, while providing the film’s memorable last scene narration, is also outstanding as the father of Norton’s character, who feels very guilty about not providing his son with a better way of life growing up. It’s a film that possesses a dark atmosphere, troubled characters, and a two-faced conclusion that works out perfectly. I haven’t seen that many Spike Lee films, admittedly (Do the Right Thing is on my list of things to see), but this is just a great movie. There’s no other way to put it.
#7. (2003) Big Fish (**** out of ****) – When I was growing up, I wasn’t a Tim Burton fan. His style just wasn’t to my liking, extremely dark stories with weird characters that just never grew on me. Nowadays, I’m a big fan of his. This film is a huge reason why. When a successful young man (Billy Crudup) with a child on the way discovers that his father (Albert Finney) doesn’t have too much longer to live, he decides to pay him a visit, even though he can’t stand his father’s “childish” stories which exaggerate elements of his life into one big fairytale. Most of the film concerns his father’s “life”, and the big fairy tale stories that the father still loves telling even when he’s on his deathbed. This film is like the classic The Wizard of Oz in so many ways, and somehow, it outdoes it from an imagination standpoint. This film is rich with extremely weird, funny, and sometimes depressed individuals who have, in one way or another, been touched by the life of the lead character – Edward Bloom. The younger version of Bloom, played by Ewan McGregor, is full of life and vigor that he’s almost impossible not to like. This is McGregor at his best, his performance really carries this movie. Both Billy Crudup and Albert Finney are also admirable, each knowing their relationship is strained and they are very different people, but in the end, they discover that doesn’t matter. The highlight of the movie is when Crudup starts making up his own preposterous story to his dad, it’s an immensely touching scene (nearly tear-jerking) as well as a cleverly put-together and somber but still humorous one. This is a perfect blown-up fairly tale story that only a twisted mind like Tim Burton could put on the screen. To put it simply, this is an underrated masterpiece, a family friendly film that is incredibly creative but also shows it has something to say about relationships, especially with family members who we might not get along with.
#4. (2001) Black Hawk Down (**** out of ****) – I might catch some flak for what I’m about to say. Black Hawk Down is not only the best war movie ever made, it is also one of the most intense, gritty, and realistic action films ever constructed. Ridley Scott, whose resume includes classics such as Alien and Gladiator, constructs a masterpiece of a movie. This movie, about the military involvement in the chaos surrounding the African county of Somalia during 1993, is consistently involving and never boring or contains any “filler” time. Scott colors his characters well-enough for us to care about their safety and well-being, as soon as he does this, its full-steam ahead. A majority of the scenes are explosive and rip-roaring, Scott never lets up and after a while, like the characters, you feel like you are in the middle of Hell. I’ll admit I was very skeptical before I watched this movie, since I wasn’t the biggest Josh Hartnett fan after his performance in the overblown Pearl Harbor. Here however, he doesn’t really have to demand your attention, and this proves to be a good choice, as his lead performance is believable and never over-the-top (If Shia LaBeouf was casted in the lead, assuming he was 20-22 at the time, oh man this movie might have been weighed down big time). William Fichtner (a vastly underrated character actor) and Ewan McGregor also turn in well-rounded performances. If you like in your face action that doesn’t go overboard (I’m looking at you, Michael Bay), this is a perfect movie to watch. In my eyes it’s a perfect and arresting movie concerning a small group of very brave men who were sent into desperate and chaotic streets. If you like movies about what true American heroes are all about, look no further than this exciting and triumphant film.
#1. (2007) Into the Wild (**** out of ****) – This is my all-time favorite film. It took four viewings of this movie for me to finally say, without question, that this is the one movie that I would want to watch over and over again if I only had one movie in the world to watch. I don’t know where to even begin with this film. The plot, based on a true story, is about the life of Christopher McCandless, a young man who rebelled against the norms of society and instead chose to pursue the ultimate adventure – a cross-country trip in which Alaska was his ultimate destination. Along the way, he meets some incredible people, including a loving, hippie couple (played beautifully by the very likable Catherine Keener and first-time actor Brian Dierker), a partying redneck farmer (played to perfection by a subdued Vince Vaughn), a lonely old man (played by Hal Holbrook, who gives the best supporting performance I’ve ever seen in a film, he will bring you to tears), and an attractive young musician (Kristen Stewart, before her “Twilight” fame). It’s ironic that this film is directed by Sean Penn, who has not been shy in his personal life blasting America and its many faults. Here, he shows everything that is beautiful about this country, the majestic mountains, the peaceful fields, and the haunting, chilling, beauty of Alaska in particular. The characters are rich and detailed expertly, Penn makes you care for each character McCandless runs into. I can’t say enough about the lead performance by Emile Hirsch. He embodies Chris. There’s not one moment in the film where you say “hey it’s Emile Hirsch”, you truly believe that he IS Christopher McCandless, and that you are with Chris as he encounters massive obstacles, including his final one – Alaska. Eddie Vedder’s soundtrack is also quiet, but unmistakably powerful. As already said, I can’t say enough about this movie. Yes, it’s long, yes, it’s very artsy and expects its viewer to have a love for settings and a story driven by character development. In every aspect however, this is a perfect movie, my favorite movie, and without question, the best film of this decade.
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