Top 10 Movie List for 1999-2009.

So as the year 2010 dawns upon us I realize that it's time to look back at some of the most memorable movies that have come from the past decade. This is a list from 1999-2009. Why this time you ask? Because 2010 hasn't completed yet, (sorry folks, I can't see into the future and gather the best movies from a time that still unfolds each day we wake) so here's my list. Feel free to argue and squabble with me, but I won't budge. I've spent literally hours putting this together and scanning IMDB to ensure I haven't let any movies of the past 10 years slip through the cracks. Enjoy:

10. There Will Be Blood (2007)



Loosely based on Upton Sinclair's novel Oil! this film stars Daniel Day-Lewis, in his Oscar winning role as Daniel Plainview. He owns a family oil business and strikes it rich after they acquire a property in California. The film follows the life of Daniel and his son and the trauma and stress they are under. This is one of the films on the list that I am SURE will cause quite a bit of backlash amongst anyone that reads it, but damn it, I loved it. Sure it has a pace that, to some, may seem slow, but I was intrigued the entire film. Daniel Day-Lewis has to be one of my favorite actors of all time. He towers over this triumph of a film with an iron hand that forces you to keep the viewers eyes glued to the screen. I challenge you to watch this film and see Mr. Day-Lewis as anything else but the character he portrays. The last 20 minutes of this film are some of the darkest put on film. The descent into madness by the character Daniel Plainview is brilliance!

9. Gangs of New York (2002)



I mean, this film's main antagonist is a guy who has one eye, is a butcher of both people and cows, has an awesome old fashioned American accent, sleeps with the US Flag draped around his body, and as if that wasn't enough, he is played by Daniel Day-Lewis. Epic. Need I say more? No.

8. The Road (2009)



This film is based off of one of my favorite books of all time. Cormac McCarthy laid the foundation for this film with his amazing novel and it was transferred almost flawlessly to film. Brilliant acting and direction make this dark, gritty, post apocalyptic drama into a world that feels alive and full of hopelessness. This is not a popcorn flick, this is a thought provoking film that leaves you feeling broken, fragile, and most of all, human.

7. Pans Labyrinth (2006)



Guillermo Del Toro... God what an outstanding director. He manages to bring a child's fairy tale world full of wonder, magic, and delight and mold it with mature theme's, dark back story, and wonderful visuals. This movie is a wonder to behold and watch, and each time I've ever watched it, it's brought something new to the table to share. Films that can do that are rare these days. I applaud Del Toro for his ability to make a film that consistently leaves me breathless.

6. No Country for Old Men (2007)



This is as close as a film will ever get to the novel it's based on. I say that as a salute to the Coen Brothers and as a sad testament to what is lost in transition from written word to film. The only thing that was not captured was the beautiful language that Cormac McCarthy pumps into his novels so effortlessly. This movie, does what most movies try to do so poorly: it captured the dreary pace of the book flawlessly. It was not bashful, necessarily violent, and absolutely gripping and full of tension without the use of a lot of mainstream Hollywood tricks. You may not have noticed, but watch the film, see how many seconds of music there are. (Almost nothing)

5. The Hurt Locker (2009)



There are war movies, and then there are war movies. 'The Hurt Locker' is a film that doesn't focus on war on a massive scale, but at a very personal level. Part of the reason this movie is so amazing is because it doesn't force it's audience to try to identify with any of the characters, it just presents them for who they are, and allows the viewer to either choose to accept them and become attached, or walk away. I've found, in speaking with others about this film, that people have either REALLY LOVED this movie, or REALLY HATED it. I was one of the people that obviously loved it. It's a flawless depiction of the tensions in Iraq, and how scared the American Soldier truly is.

4. Gladiator (2000)



Let me start by saying that this film made me HATE Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) so much that I could not watch another film starring Joaquin Pheonix until I saw the interview where he was clearly on drugs talking about rapping on Letterman (What a joke of a man he has become). I literally have yet to see any of the following films because of my loathing of Joaquin: Walk the Line, We Own the Night, etc. His acting in this film was so perfect that each despicable action that he made during the course of the movie was amplified dozens of times. I literally can not look at a film with Joaquin in it and not see an Sister-loving, backstabbing, sleazeball. Honestly, this is a compliment to his performance in this amazing film. Oh yeah, Russell Crowe does a decent job too.

3. The Matrix (1999)



Let's face it, Keanu Reeves is probably one of the worst big time actors since Nicholas Cage. He sucks, but let's look past that fact for a moment and look at what this film achieved. Not only did it set what is now a standard for CGI and action scenes in films, but it compliment it's epic visuals with a brilliant philosophical story that takes pieces from all walks of life and combines it with a really kick ass sci-fi motif. Nothing get's better then this. Remember children, "There is no spoon."

2. The Dark Knight (2008)



Alright, I feel this one is really going to have to be justified. A lot of you are probably saying, "What the fuck? This movie was great but number two?" I admit, I am biased. Batman is my favorite hero ever and The Joker is my favorite villain ever. To see such respect and life given to two of my favorite fictional characters makes me what can only be compared to a kid in a candy shop. I think that Heath Ledgers performance as the joker is truly one of the best performances in history of cinema. As a huge fan of the graphic novels, I've seen doezens of takes on The Joker. Writers everywhere have been reinventing him in their image, but only one Graphic Novel really captured the essence of evil that The Joker needed to be. It was in fact called "Joker". It was written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Lee Bermejo. This graphic novel was the inspiration for the visual reboot of The Joker in 'The Dark Knight'. To see my favorite depiction of The Joker brought to life on the big screen is a fanboy's dream. Especially when the actor playing him does it way too well. The saddest part is that he passed away, and no one, absolutely no one, will ever be as good as he was. (Rest In Peace Heath Ledger)


1. Fight Club (1999)



"In Tyler we trusted." This movie impacted me like no other film I've ever seen in my life. That's all I can say about it. It drastically changed what I viewed possible in cinema, and I will always cherish this film above all others for how much it opened my eyes to the world around me. Please, you wont often hear me beg, if you haven't seen this film do so. Now. Why are you still sitting down on your couch? GO RENT IT!

Honorable Mentions:

Juno
Anchorman
Kill Bill Volumes 1&2
Superbad
Donnie Darko
A History of Violence
Children of Men
The Green Mile
The Orphanage
The Audition
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy