[Movie posting] Top Ten movies of the decade discussion/preperation

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S

Steven Soderburgin

PLEASE READ THIS OP

HEY! So this thread is about preparing a list of your top 10 movies of the decade. 2009 still has some potentially great cinema to hit (although Terrance Malick's Tree of Life has been delayed until next year). So this thread is really about getting a list going and organizing what you think belongs on your list.

Things this thread is for:
1. Discussing the best in cinema over the last 10 years.
2. Getting ideas going for what belongs on your list.
3. Figuring out by what criteria you will make your list.

Things this thread is NOT for:
1. Making fun of other people's choices. You can disagree, but don't do so mean-spiritedly. Discussion is fun and interesting. Insults are not.
2. Posting your lists. I'll make a new thread for that (or have CDS do it if I forget)

As I said, there are still some exciting movies coming out before the end of the decade, from Clint Eastwood's Invictus to Rob Marshall's Nine. The reason I'm posting this now is that there have been thousands of movies that have come out in the past 10 years, and about half of them HAVEN'T been Saw sequels (I stole that joke from At The Movies, thank you Michael Phillips), so really think about your lists! Interpret "Top 10" or "10 Best" however you choose. Try to avoid talking about specific movies you're thinking about putting on your list because the reveal is a ton of fun, and when we do post our lists, try to put a few words about why you chose those movies to get discussion going. Remember, no one, even me, is going to make fun of your lists, but if you put Legally Blonde 2 at #1, I'm probably going to want to know why, so think about your choices.

A couple rules (suggestions):
1. Please try to do an ordered list of 10. I want to know why you put your number 3 ahead of your number 4.
2. For franchises or series, please don't count them all as one. Yes, each film has a place in the context of the other films, but they also stand on their own, so don't group movies in a series together (This applies to LOTR as well)
3. DUE DATE FOR LISTS IS JANUARY 1. PLEASE HAVE YOUR LISTS READY BY THEN. If you live in an area that gets platform releases and limited release films late and you want to consider some of the awards season films, feel free to post revised lists after you've seen them if you feel the need to.

I've already put together some preliminary lists, and things have been rearranged to the point where a movie I had at #1 is currently not even on the list. So this should be exciting!
 
you know what? have fun with your little thread. I am sooooo sorry i didn't need your help to figure how to make a list of movies i like.

Geez
 
S

Steven Soderburgin

someone didn't read the OP

also, I forgot to put a thing in there about series

---------- Post added at 05:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:26 PM ----------

you know what? have fun with your little thread. I am sooooo sorry i didn't need your help to figure how to make a list of movies i like.

Geez
I just think it's more fun to have everyone reveal their lists at the same time, and I think numbered lists are a bit more interesting. :3
 
I hope lists are the movies that entertained you the most, movies you will sit and watch when they come up during channel surfing. I'd rather not see a list of "important" movies (film snobbery) that "advance the art of film," unless it actually entertained you, and not a movie that you only needed to see once.
 

fade

Staff member
I know the art aspect is highly important to me. I always watch with an eye to the art and technical aspects in addition to the entertainment factor. Inevitably, someone will interpret that as snobbery, but whatever.
 
I find it the art of film important as well. However, when I read lists of important/landmark films from different people/critics, the lists tend to be rather similar, which tends to be rather boring. I think it would be more interesting to know if someone secretly loves Dude, Where's my Car?
 
S

Steven Soderburgin

I hope lists are the movies that entertained you the most, movies you will sit and watch when they come up during channel surfing. I'd rather not see a list of "important" movies (film snobbery) that "advance the art of film," unless it actually entertained you, and not a movie that you only needed to see once.
Please understand that while you interpret the view of films as art to be snobbery, some might interpret your point of view to be anti-intellectualism. Each list is that person's own list, based one whatever criteria they choose to apply. Your list can be full of films you find entertaining, but that criteria isn't going to apply to everyone's, nor should they feel obligated to follow that. Feel free to discuss other people's lists and express what you think of them, but be prepared to defend your own list. I want the thread to have friendly discussion so these different priorities and criteria should provide plenty of fodder for that.
 

Dave

Staff member
My List


  1. Up
  2. Fanboys
  3. Adventureland
  4. The Hurt Locker
  5. Food, inc.
  6. The Hangover
  7. The Soloist
  8. Coraline
  9. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  10. Watchmen
Movies I WANTED to see but didn't as of this writing:


  1. Funny People
  2. District 9
  3. Inglorious Basterds
  4. Big Fan
  5. 9
  6. Capitalism: A Love Story
  7. Zombieland
  8. A Serious Man
  9. The Road
  10. Avatar
  11. Sherlock Holmes
  12. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

My reasoning:


  1. Up - I don't think another film in 2009 had the emotion or humanity that this film had. Whether it was an animated film or a live action, this film tops them all and should be an Oscar contender for top film of 2009. If it's not even nominated I will no longer watch that award show because it is blind and stupid.
  2. Fanboys - This one may be a surprise to some. I think this movie is the top comedy of 2009, even better than the Hangover. This film only went in limited release and didn't do well in theaters but will surprise you. A story about four friends who want to storm the Lucas Ranch before the release of the Phantom Menace, this movie is touching, funny and was a damned shame to be overlooked. One of my definite favorites of the year.
  3. Adventureland - This is a sweet comedy about a summer job from hell. We've all had them before, but this one is tinged with both the unflinching view of someone going through hell and still seems to be filtered through the rose colored glasses of memory. Like that bad camping trip you had years ago that you look back on and laugh. Adventureland is a slice of life movie that won't knock your socks off but will leave you happy and entertained.
  4. The Hurt Locker - I think I'm a sucker for unwavering military movies. Jarhead is still one of my favorites as it shows with painful recollection one of the biggest secrets of modern military life - sometimes war can be fucking boring and sometimes it can be horrifying. The Hurt Locker shows us a window into the world of bomb technicians at work. These brave and crazy fuckers place their lives on the line every day to save their brothers from harm. But to do the job they do has to leave them a bit twisted on the inside of the brain pan. This movie shows that Human side very well.
  5. Food, inc. - I wish I'd have seen this one before I ate until after. Of course, coming from a farming background I saw a lot of Hollywood bias in this film, but all in all it shows the decline of small farms and the rise of conglomerations who are more interested in money than the communities.
  6. The Hangover - This is a straight-up man movie. Drinking carousing and a singing Mike Tyson make this film roll in the aisles funny. Not a lot of depth to it but that's not the focus of this. Still, lack of character depth is what made this #6 for me instead of much higher.
  7. The Soloist - Oh what this movie could have been! Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. both put in passable performances, but it could have been much more. It tried to hard instead of letting the story flow naturally. It's like the writers knew what they wanted to do but didn't trust the audience to get it without it being rammed down our throats with a sledge hammer. Don't get me wrong, it's still a good movie. But it's like getting a gourmet mean and adding ketchup.
  8. Coraline - I thought I'd like this movie more than I did. I guess I'm tired of childish escapist movies where all the kids are wonderful little darlings who can accomplish anything just by being brave! Seriously, it's been done. At least in this one all of the grownups aren't total raving idiots and evil monsters. Coraline was good but could have been great.
  9. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - This one is on the list because I need 10. I wasn't really impressed with it. I mean it had the depth of character but it seemed to jump around a lot and was largely unforgettable. I had some issues with some of the plot points they left out for the sake of time. Especially, you know, the whole part about the fucking Half-Blood Prince and what it means! Had I not read the books I think I'd be pissed. What does that even mean? And the big reveal was like....so? So you're the HBP. Big fucking deal. I'm not even sure what that is because you didn't explain it! Argh!
  10. Watchmen - Again only on the list because I found myself short 2 movies. I wanted to like this movie. I really, really did. I was there at midnight on opening night all stoked and ready to go. But it just seemed...dead. I've heard it was because they tried to stay so close to the graphic novel that it seemed flat, I've heard people were too distracted by the big blue dong. Whichever. The movie seemed too slow, too stylized and lacked the Humanity and grittiness of the book.
So there's my top 10. I won't break down the movies I haven't seen, but I bolded the ones I really, REALLY want to see and even made Big Fan a bit larger font because that is on my MUST SEE list.
 
I have no problem with arty, important films, many of them are in my DVD collection. I'm saying that we risk having similar lists, making it less likely to bring an unknown, previously unconsidered, or forgotten film, to someone's mind.
 
S

Steven Soderburgin

With the diversity of people on this board, I feel very confident that the Top Ten lists will be incredibly varied.
 

Dave

Staff member
I thought it was supposed to be films from 2009. Son of a BITCH!

---------- Post added at 01:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 PM ----------

That was a lot of typing, too. FUCK! List #2 to come in a while I guess. NOW it gets hard!
 
With the diversity of people on this board, I feel very confident that the Top Ten lists will be incredibly varied.
I know that Kissinger and I are considered some hydra monster of similar opinions, but I can guarantee you our lists will be very different. We did a similar top 25 movies of all-time list (OH MY GOD I LOVE MAKING LISTS) and I think 2 at the MOST crossed over between us. Maybe only 1.
 
S

Steven Soderburgin

That's okay! :) Also, lists are gonna be in a different thread I'm gonna post January 1 (or I'll just edit the thread title here and bump it). Take some time and think about your list! Anticipation is half the fun of this. :)

Your top ten of 2009 is pretty interesting, and I have a feeling a few of the movies you have on your "to see" list would end up placing fairly high there.
 

Dave

Staff member
Holy shit. I'm not sure I'm getting out of 2000.

Finding Forrester
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
The Family Man
Cast Away
High Fidelity
Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang)
Pitch Black
Momento
Unbreakable


Shit. This is going to be HARD!!
 
S

Steven Soderburgin

hahahaha. That's why I encourage really thinking about it and giving some time to do so.

Man, 2000 was a great year.
 
I've only got 5 so far.

5) Star Trek - First Star Trek movie in over a decade that was worth watching. It was a good movie to boot

4) Stardust - Just a very entertaining movie.

3) The Lucky Ones - A great look at 3 Soldiers coming back from Iraq. Does a great job of showing the bond that members of the military share.

2) Wall-e - There is no way Pixar could top this movie...

1) Up - ... son of a bitch
 

Shannow

Staff member
10) Meet the Spartans

-I laughed so hard, I almost cried. True comedic genius. Kevin Sorbo was robbed of a best supporting actor nod.

9) Disaster Movie

-This time, I did cry I laughed so hard.

8) Far Cry

Uwe Boll proves once more that he can tug at your heart strings while thriling you with amazing action. The sky is the limit for this man.


7) Alone in the Dark

-and even before Far Cry, Uwe gives us this masterwork. He was able to truly bring out the latent talent in both Tara Reid and Christian Slater. Stephen Dorf sent almost as many chills down my spine when he had to lament the loss of his fellow soldiers as did the creatures that I could barely see in the darkness. The fear was really left to the viewer here, and it was perfect.

6) One Missed Call

-yes, there was One missed call in 2008..and that was the call from the academy that should have given this movie best screenplay.

5) Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2

- If you do not have this on your top ten of the decade, then you have no soul.

4) The Happening

Mark Walhberg showed his true chops here. Everything else he has done was really just preparation for his bangbuster job as a highschool teacher caught up in the wrong way.

And M. Night really blew our minds this time, giving us the big reveal that in a movie titled "The Happening," Nothing really happens. Amazing, and I love it.

3) The Village

Man, I know for one I was shocked..SHOCKED! when we find out that no, there arent any supernatual forces, and that yes, they are all really in a commune. No one saw it coming, and I am pretty sure I saw at least three heads explode in the theater when i saw it. One of the most stisfying films of the decade.

2) Twilight

-Edward. Vampire. Sexy. Sparkles. Is there anything else I need to say here. if you have not seen this, then you have not really lived.

1) Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

Micheal. Motherfucking. Bay. The man, the myth, the legend. this guy...this guy right here..he delves deep into your soul, and gives the viewer everything they need, and want. His comedic timing and writing...timeless. The effects? He drags everything that can be done out of each and every frame. And drama? We see the human element like never before. The tension and romance between Shia and Meghan are so real, so RAW, that we cannot help but be drawn in.

This movie will be talked about for generations to come. I am honored that I will be able to tell my grandkids that I was there opening night, in a packed theater, and I saw HISTORY.



...note, I had not been able to see Ballistic yet, so I couldnt review it. For some reason, I forsee it will make the list.
 

Shannow

Staff member
Who says I havent'? Frankly, it did not live up to the first, and Kissinger said we cannot include series together.
 

Dave

Staff member
Okay, this will be Part 1. Please note that these are not in any order yet. So when I have "Music and Lyrics" at the top of the 2007 list it doesn't mean I think it's the best, just the first one I put down. Also, some years are better than others. 2000 only has 9 from me while 2004 has 18!

2000

Finding Forrester
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
The Family Man
Cast Away
High Fidelity
Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang)
Pitch Black
Momento
Unbreakable

2001

A.I. Artificial Intelligence
Evolution
K-PAX
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Monster's Inc.
Ocean's Eleven
Shrek
The Others

2002

8 Mile
28 Days Later
The Bourne Identity
Death to Smoochy
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Signs
Spider-Man

2003

Finding Nemo
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Mystic River
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Secondhand Lions

2004

The Butterfly Effect
Collateral
Crash
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Farenheit 9/11
Finding Neverland
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Hellboy
The Incredibles
Kung Fu Hustle
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Man on Fire
Napoleon Dynamite
The Passion of the Christ
Shaun of the Dead
Spider-Man 2
The Terminal
The Woodsman

2005

Unleashed
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Batman Begins
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Serenity
Wallace and Gromit: The curse of the Were-Rabbit
Jarhead
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Syriana
Brokeback Mountain
The Producers
Munich
The Ringer

2006

V for Vendetta
Little Miss Sunshine
The Illusionist
Flushed Away
Stranger Than Fiction
Casino Royale
Letters from Iwo Jima
Children of Men
Pan's Labyrinth

2007

Music and Lyrics
Reign Over Me
1408
Ratatouille
Sicko
The Bourne Ultimatum
3:10 to Yuma
Dan in Real Life
No Country for Old Men
The Mist
Juno
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
There Will Be Blood

2008

Run Fatboy Run
Iron Man
The Incredible Hulk
Wall-E
Hancock
The Dark Knight
Pineapple Express
Tropic Thunder
Ghost Town
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Role Models
Slumdog Millionaire
Milk
Doubt

2009

Fanboys
Adventureland
Up
The Hurt Locker
The Soloist
The Hangover
Food, Inc.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Coraline
Watchmen


Now to start ordering them.
 

Dave

Staff member
Part 2. Final. I narrowed down the list by threes and then ordered them from there. And here...we...GO!

My top 10 movies are:


  1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Can I rave enough about this sweet movie? Jim Carrey puts on a masterful performance as a man who is losing the memories of his Great Love and he fights it. He tries to hold on to every part even as he feels it slipping away. Phenomenal movie.
  2. Up - See the 2009 review. Best movie of 2009 hands down.
  3. Pan's Labyrinth - Is the little girl escaping through her imaginary world or is that world of fairies and demons real? They never really say. The ending is either a bummer or a triumph, depending on how you look at it. Great visionary tale and much like what fairy tales really are supposed to be like.
  4. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - Yeah, yeah. I know. A Holocaust movie makes the list. But this one is interesting because it is from the eyes of an innocent. Very moving film.
  5. The Woodsman - Can pedophiles be productive members of society and suppress their urges? Kevin Bacon is a convicted pedophile living alone. Harassed by the police and battling the demons within himself. Creepy and intensely personal, this movie is brave and disturbing. Bacon should have won an award for this.
  6. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - How does one bring a story of this sweeping nature to the screen? Easy. Get Peter Jackson to direct it. Very well acted out & written, this is easily the best of the three movies and showcases what epic fantasy should be. The bar has been set.
  7. The 40-Year-Old Virgin - This surprise hit is very, very funny. Like rolling on the floor funny. Like forget what comedies you've seen before, this one is funnier than that one. Well, maybe not Ghostbusters, but it's equal or at least damned close! And this one has boobs!!
  8. Little Miss Sunshine - Sweet story of a pudgy little girl with a dream and how her dysfunctional family helps her attempt to realize that dream. Funny at times, touching at others. This is a triumphant film.
  9. Mystic River - I know people hate this movie or love it. I am in the latter category. In a neighborhood where the citizens take care of their own, a girl is beaten and killed. Kevin Bacon (again?!?) plays a cop from the neighborhood trying to solve the mystery before the place explodes on its own. Masterful performances by Kevin, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and directed by Clint Eastwood make this easily one of the best films of the decade.
  10. 8 Mile - My surprise pick. I never intended to see this movie. I am not into rap and never respected Eminem. Until this. A starkly personal semi-autobiographical story about how he left behind his roots to become a rapper and how those roots will never really leave him. Brilliantly acted, this movie surprised me with its power.
The next 20 NOT in order are:

K-PAX
Finding Forrester
Cast Away
Pitch Black
The Others
Spider-Man
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Secondhand Lions
The Incredibles
The Ringer
Batman Begins
Fanboys
28 Days Later
Adventureland
Reign Over Me
No Country for Old Men
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
Casino Royale
Momento
 
I like Dave's process and I'm gonna mimic it. Damn/bless you Kissinger for finally making me get off my ass and put together a list that will ultimately seem like I don't see many movies.

Although seeing Eternal Sunshine at the top of Dave's list makes me feel pretty vindicated. Hugs, Dave. Hugs.
 
T

The Pumes

1. It Might Get Loud: A Guitar Documentary- A brilliant documentary on three of my favorite guitarists of all times. Their pasts, their art and everything comes together in one of the languages the entire world speaks. Music.

2. Passion of the Christ - A look into a mostly factual look into the last days of one of history's most influential men or depending on your belief the son of God.

3. The Kingdom - A movie everyone seems to forget, it manages to be both Pro-America and Pro-Islam. The ending line reigns so true for all of the world. 'This war won't stop until everyone is dead'. Go watch it, you might find it amazing or forgettable, but give it a chance.

4.District 9 - An amazing science fiction film that at times has murky message since it can leave the audience just hating the Nigerians in the movie. Whichever way you look at the movie however it is a brilliant work of sci-fi and pushes the genre even farther.

5. The Prestige - The twists, the turns, and the Tesla. A war between two performers who are masters of their craft, and how far war can go.

6. 28 Days Later - As I am a mere 16 year old now, this was my first zombie movie it completely erased the slow, moving zombies of old for the infected human beings who hunt down their prey. The triumphal return of the zombie genre or it can be the movie that ruined zombies permanently.

7.Syriana - Like The Kingdom, Syriana opened up a bit more of a world wide perspective into where the black gold of the world comes into play, it was thought provoking at points and places blame where blame is due.

8. Charlie Bartlett - A film of a teenaged nerd who deals out his own mood-altering drugs to everyone around him and becoming a psuedo counselor that in the end fulfills himself. Stupidly fun most of the time.

9. The Dark Knight - Heath Ledger. This is all.

10. REPO! The Genetic Opera - This musical strikes me in the right spots for some reason. It is vulgar, crude and grim, but it captivates me. I think I might me a masochist for loving this film to much. Zydrate comes in a little glass vial.
 
10) The Incredibles: I'm a sucker for both Pixar and Super heroes, thus this movie tickles me and I can watch it again and again....and I have in recent weeks with my baby. He appears to like it as much as I do. The art deco style of the movie appeals to me and the score is so well suited to to that style.

9) King Kong: This was a great remake. I could tell that Peter Jackson has love for the source material and he sought to treat it with respect.

That bug scene creeps me the fuck out though.

8) Titan A.E.: I think this was Don Bluths last film...I know it was Fox Animations last. Thats too bad as this film rocks my socks off. It's a true space adventure with the stakes set high. The mood set by the art design potrays both a sense of magic ane science. The sound track is very good as well.

I really don't know why this movie faired so poorly.

7) Watchmen: Despite all the nerd-troversy that surrounded this movie I found myself liking it. Why? Perhaps because I'm very fond of the source material. Perhaps because I like comic levels of blood and gore. Perhaps because everything about it was superb.

6) The Dark Knight: This is a great super hero film. It appael to the part of me that loves dark and gritty imagery. The characters are believable and I felt genuine distress during the entirety of the film.

5) High Fidelity: I'm sad that this movie doesn't get more recognition. Its a very humble story with lots of good music and quirky character. It makes you feel for the protagonist like you would for a friend. Sometimes you really like him and other times you question his judgement and wish you could put in your two cents.


This is also on my list of top ten movie sound tracks...if that list existed.

4) Hell Boy 2: Another case of me getting wet over visuals. I mean, the srt design for the creatures in this film was beautiful and...and...grand! Mix that with a really good story line, likable character on both sides of the fence and good comedy then you have me hooked.

3) Iron Man: I loved this movie better then the Dark Knight. It was funny, flashy and Tony Stark is the most endearing assholes to grace the silver screen.

He kinda reminds me of my husband.

2) Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the black Pearl: I can still reember the day I saw this in theater for the first time. I had seen League of Extraordinary Gentlemen first. That god awful movie made this one seem heavenly. I laughed at the funny parts and was thrilled by the action. The visuals were fantastic and to this day its one of my 'go to' movies for when I need a distraction.

For example, I watched this movie when I got my tattoos done.

1) Moulin Rouge: This is a movie that plays better on a television then the big screen simply because its overwhelming. The visuals are so rich and, well, fast that its hard to take in when looking up at a huge screen. The music is awesome and I shall forever love the movies take on 'Your Song' better then the original version.

This is a mvoie that made me smile during a very dark time in my life so it is dear to me.
 
Edit:

Thank God for clipboards. Here's the list.

This is tough.

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
- Kaufman is a fantastic writer, and Gondry's directing was original and interesting. The DVD commentary is quite nice. This movie evoked a strong emotional response in me. Great film.
2. Fellowship of the Ring
-Tolkein was the first major writer I read when I was a kid. His books sucked me in. I waited a long time to see this movie, and I was also a fan of Jackson way before most folks knew who he was. He was the perfect choice for these movies. I think this is the movie that should have received the Oscar not RotK. A Beautiful Mind? Bullshit. It was a good movie, but FotR was monumental.
3. O Brother Where Art Thou?
-Great script, cast, directors, music, 'nuff said.
4. WALL-E
-Amazing movie. I have no problem listing a cartoon. It has it all. Pixar's finest.
5. Up
-Ditto
6. Slumdog Millionaire
-I can't get enough of Danny Boyle's movies. They're all pretty damn terrific. This movie stuck with me for so long. Even though the ending was a happy one, all the torment and hardships had an effect on me. Excellent music, and acting.
7. Collateral
-Again, a favorite director. I love the way all the outside shots look. Cruise was great and this is the first time the Jamie Foxx showed me that he could really act.
8. Unbreakable
-I hesitate to put an M. Night movie on here, but I love this movie. It's a damn near perfect comic-book hero origin story. Just so perfect and great for me. Way better than Spiderman or Batman Begins.
9. Iron Man
-Such and awesome ride. Couldn't have asked for a better Tony Stark. Lots of laughs, fantastic action, great effects. Please take notes, Raimi.
10. Finding Nemo
-Again, another emotional ride. Beautiful colors and textures. Great music.
 
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