This past decade has been awesome for movies with tons of really good big adventure films like Spider-Man, Batman, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter. It also featured great genre films, highlighted by the emergence of wonderful new auteur directors and fantastic new stars. Here is the list of my personal favorite twenty-five films from the decade (not necessarily the best films critically speaking, just my favorites):
Rank: 10
Release Year: 2006
Genre: Mystery
Summary: Set at the turn of the century, the story revolves around the rivalry between two magicians that is pushed to rabid intensity when one of them performs the ultimate illusion. It is a film of deception and trickery.
Why It Made the List: What is wonderful about The Prestige is that it explains how a magic trick works, implores the viewer to pay expert attention to all the details and then still manages to pull off a phenomenal trick that most viewers will not discover until it is revealed. The aesthetics are brilliant (I love the look and tone of the film). Director Christopher Nolan establishes himself as an auteur filmmaker with this film (his fifth), and possibly the very best Hollywood filmmaker of the decade (Memento in 2000, Insomnia in 2002, Batman Begins in 2005, this film in 2006, and The Dark Knight in 2008 – name a director with a better 2000-2009). Christian Bale gives another great performance and Hugh Jackman is at his best. 2006 gave us two great magician films with The Illusionist and this, but The Prestige is a masterwork by a master filmmaker and a must see for mystery lovers.
Rank: 9
Release Year: 2004
Genre: Drama/War
Summary: The German film is about the final days of Adolph Hitler’s life in his bunker during the Soviet siege on Berlin in April 1945. The story is also partially told through and based on the book by his young secretary Traudl Junge.
Why It Made the List: The film is built around the marvelous performance by Bruno Ganz. Hitler is often portrayed in a caricature-like fashion, screaming and yelling. But Ganz gives maybe the most hated man in history humanity (and even, for the briefest of moments, sympathy). When I saw this film for the first time I knew of the skill of Ganz from films like Wings of Desire, but after seeing it I expected Oliver Hirschbiegel to become a top director (he has since made one good and one bad film, but nothing amazing like this) and co-star Alexandra Maria Lara to be a breakout star (she is in some good European films, but has not been in any American stuff of note). The film is so good, I thought it would serve as a springboard for those involved – though Ganz has seen a lot more work in Hollywood films. WWII is one of my favorite periods for films to take place during; (and not counting the miniseries Band of Brothers) this is the best WWII film of the decade.
Rank: 8
Release Year: 2002
Genre: Adventure Fantasy
Summary: The second film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy finds Frodo and Sam continuing their journey to Mordor, finding an unlikely guide. While, their former companions both find new allies and new enemies.
Why It Made the List: I specifically make reference to the Extended Edition of the film (also known as Peter Jackson’s cut) because it is a far superior film to the theatrical cut, as it delves a lot more into the characters, especially the relationship between Boromir and his brother and father (which illuminates his actions in The Fellowship of the Ring). When I first saw the three films (in their extended forms), The Two Towers was my favorite, as it does have wonderful character work across both the main and supporting characters. It also features a very well done battle at Helm’s Deep. Ultimately, however, The Return of the King is more satisfying as it concludes the series. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (if considered one film would maybe be number one on this list and certainly in the top five) is such an epic undertaking and Peter Jackson delivered it as a series with three very good films.
Rank: 7
Release Year: 2005
Genre: Adventure/Crime
Summary: The first in the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy, it tells the origin story of Batman.
Why It Made the List: Before Batman Begins came out I can remember drooling over its potential with my friends – the phenomenal cast (featuring a number of my favorite actors) and (at the time) a very good newcomer director (now considered an auteur). Then I saw it opening weekend, June 2005. I was super tired going in, not sleeping well the night before. But it did not matter, the film was incredible – the Batman film I had always wanted (and I loved Tim Burton’s Batman as a kid, but this blew it out of the water). If not for Spider-Man 2 the previous year, this would have been the best comic book movie ever, and the film that changed the genre forever (and it still did that to some extent – ushering in a trend of grittier and darker fare). Getting back to the cast (I love Tom Wilkinson’s Carmine Falcone and the wonderful work of Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon), Christian Bale was such an inspired choice for Bruce Wayne/Batman, setting a standard of excellence for all other actors in the series. If you like comic book movies (or adventure/crime films in general), this is probably among your favorites (or will be once you see it).
Rank: 6
Release Year: 2003
Genre: Adventure Fantasy
Summary: The final chapter in The Lord of the Rings trilogy finds Frodo and Sam in their final approach to Mount Doom and the One Ring’s destruction. Meanwhile, the forces of good prepare for the final battle for Middle Earth.
Why It Made the List: The Return of the King won eleven Oscars on eleven nominations (so you know it is probably good). What makes it the best film of the trilogy however is that it feels the most engaging – the stakes are the highest, the drama is fantastic and the ending (or all four of them) is very satisfying. Everything in the trilogy has built to this film (a bit like the Harry Potter series from the moment Voldemort is reborn until his final battle with Harry et al), and it pays off brilliantly. I think these films will be best remembered for their commitment to the look of the world – from shooting in New Zealand to capturing every location and creature perfectly. While there are films I liked more in the decade, it is hard to deny this trilogy as a masterpiece, and The Return of the King its best episode.
No comments:
Post a Comment