Note the wording above - I am in no way qualified to render a comprehensive "Best" Films of the Decade list. For that, I refer you to Josh Hurst's ongoing series, which includes quite a few films that I'll list here. In no particular order, with no particular criteria for inclusion...
- Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
Is there a more neglected film in the Jim Carey ouvre? There's certainly not another one that comes close to the heartbreaking truths that this so-odd-it's-almost-sci-fi premise reveals. Director Michel Gondry hits the grace notes of Charlie Kaufman's script perfectly.
- No Country For Old Men
A philosophical potboiler (just like the book). The Coen Brothers hit arguably their career high-point, and having watched this film many times since its release, I can attest to its lasting impact.
- Anything by Pixar
I think maybe I haven't seen Cars in its entirety, but I love the rest of 'em. My favorite? I have a soft spot for the films of Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc. and Up), but it's hard to not rate Wall*E as the best thing Pixar has ever created.
- Anything by QT
I'm on record as a Quentin Tarantino apologist and defender. And though his 00's output doesn't quite reach Pulp Fiction-Jackie Brown levels of excellence, his recent films show a director interested in creating something singular and audacious. I've watched Death Proof and Kill Bill recently, and I still absolutely love both. QT ended the decade on a controversial high note with Inglourious Basterds, which many critics rate as his best since Pulp Fiction. Can't wait to see it again when it is released on DVD on December 15.
- There Will Be Blood
A quintessential American epic, and one of Daniel Day-Lewis's most remarkable performances. Is PT Anderson's film unwound by the last 20 minutes? I dunno, but I love pondering the question.
- The Departed
Scorsese could make films like this in his sleep, but is there anything better than seeing a stupendous cast (DiCaprio, Damon, Nicholson) chew on each other. Definitely the only crime drama of the decade that jumps into my head.
- Lord Of The Rings
Still beautiful and perfect. What more is there to say?
- Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith
Not beautiful or perfect by any means, but I was awfully relieved that Lucas found a way to wind down his saga in a respectable fashion. A convincing performance from Ewan MacGregor, and one of the best lightsaber duels in the saga's history. It's a shame that Lucas didn't figure out how fertile the Clone Wars would be as a backdrop until this film, but it's currently being mined on the Cartoon Network.
- The New World
Terence Malick's ode to the Jamestown colony is really a gorgeous tribute to the natural world and is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
- Children Of Men
I saw this when my daughter was about three months old, and I cried my eyes out. A dystopian nightmare that ends on a note of unqualified hope.
- Miami Vice
No shit -- really. I love this flick and was just totally shocked how great it turned out. I guess this is the other crime drama that sprung to mind.
- Star Trek
Well, obviously this will be high on my Best of 2009 list, but based on my subsequent reaction to the DVD release, I'll just go ahead and call this probably the best Star Trek film of all time. The fact that it lets non-Trekkies in on the fun (so says Mrs. K) is an added bonus.
- Batman Begins/The Dark Knight
Greatest superhero franchise ever? Yeah, I'll buy that. Best reboot ever? Without a doubt.
- The Royal Tennenbaums
Not my favorite Wes Anderson film (that would be Rushmore), but his best of the decade. I was very relieved to find that this year's (stop-motion-animated) The Fantastic Mr. Fox was every bit as clever and fun as his earlier films, coming after the disaster that was The Darjeeling Limited. Here's hoping for a live-action return to form in the next decade.
- I'm Not There
Todd Haynes' bizarro Bob Dylan non-biopic is probably the best film about a rock star I've ever seen. Certainly the best soundtrack of any film in recent memory. Also has one of Heath Ledger's best performances.
- Serenity
The only film on this list that sits comfortably in my Top Five Films of ALL TIME. And why shouldn't it? Because it sprung from a canceled TV series (albeit a terrific one)? I can't entirely judge whether Serenity can stand alone without the TV backstory, but I suspect it does. Do yourself a favor and see this movie!
- The Bourne Trilogy
Not a clunker in the bunch and trumps James Bond by a mile. In fact, the most recent Bond films with Daniel Craig are virtual knockoffs of the Bourne films, imho. As spy films go, these are pretty much now the gold standard and for good reason.
- Almost Famous
The best filmed love letter to rock and roll ever created. Criminally ignored by audiences at the time, I think this will stand the test of time. Notable for launching Kate Hudson's career and being about the only non-sucktastic thing she's ever been in.
I'm sure I missed something. Most of the above films would probably find a spot in my Top 50 Films of All Time. Interestingly, there's not much in the way of arthouse fare to be found in this list. Maybe my tastes have mainstreamed too much, or perhaps the finer elements of arthouse films of the '90's have made their way into the mainstream.
