My Favorites of the 2000's: 2009

The Brothers Bloom: Rian Johnson's second film is populated with superb acting, phenomenal writing, and a story that features multiple layers. A con movie with heart, this is not to be missed.

Drag Me To Hell: Sam Raimi's return to horror could also be hailed as a return to comedy - the gross-out moments are far funnier than they are scary. That said, this was the most intense theatrical experience I've ever had. Thanks to Raimi's decision to ramp up the volume at the "jump scare" moments, this movie almost literally shocked me out of my seat several times, and the tension involved (even in ridiculous scenarios) is top notch.

Avatar: While it certainly wasn't the perfect film some make it out to be, this was the "Event Movie" of the decade and it more than lived up to its insane reputation. James Cameron's return to feature length fiction was something to behold, especially in IMAX 3D. The legendary director sure hasn't forgotten any aspects of filmmaking in the twelve years we waited to see this movie, and now that the tech behind it is already in place, expect at least one Avatar sequel in the next three or so years.

(500) Days of Summer: Joseph Gordon-Levitt delivers more solid work in this picture, and I'm glad the guy is getting a little more high profile roles these days. The script was funny, heartbreaking, and real - that's more than can be said about almost any other film this year. Music video director Marc Webb made a great debut and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing his next project.

Star Trek: The ensemble cast took the world by storm, especially Chris Pine as James T. Kirk. The story of how the Enterprise gained its most famous crew was in good hands with J.J. Abrams, who, in only his second feature film, created a clearly defined universe filled with humor, action, romance, and - most importantly - fun. This was a blast, and (again, unusual for me to say) I'm really looking forward to the sequel.

Up In The Air: Jason Reitman's third film features George Clooney in one of his best performances. You can read my review here, but suffice it to say that I really enjoyed this movie.

District 9: One of the most original sci-fi movies I've seen in years, Neill Blomkamp's directorial debut (man, there are a lot of directorial debuts in my selections!) announced his presence in a big way. This guy has a bright future ahead of him, and District 9 proves his ability to work well with both actors and CGI.

Ong-Bak 2: The Beginning: Tony Jaa's masterpiece, this is the best action movie (of any kind, mind you) that I've ever seen. The bone-crunching martial arts on display are absolutely dazzling, and there are scenes in this movie (ex: two guys fighting ON TOP OF A LIVE ELEPHANT) that you'll probably never see in film again.

Inglourious Basterds: Tarantino's best film so far, this revisionist WWII story is expertly told by a man who truly loves cinema and translates that love into a palpable enjoyment on screen. This may well win the Best Picture of 2009.

Likely to see on everyone else's "Best Of" lists: The Hangover, Moon, The Hurt Locker, In The Loop, Where The Wild Things Are

My Favorites of the 2000's: 2008

Rambo: Stallone's return to his iconic character of John Rambo remains the most brutal film I've ever seen in a theater. His commentary on the atrocities in some third world countries may be a bit heavy-handed, but you've gotta admit: the dude can shoot an action movie. The final 40 minutes or so features Rambo mowing people down with a .50 caliber machine gun, so you can imagine what kind of mayhem you're in for if you missed this one last year and plan on checking it out.

Speed Racer: Another unpopular choice, but this is definitely one I'll defend until I die. The Wachowski's succeeded in creating a fun kid's movie that is almost as enjoyable as playing Mario Kart on the Nintendo 64. I'll admit the story was cheesy (that was the point!), and the kid and his monkey were almost enough to kick this movie from the list, but the madcap races reminiscent of old Penelope Pitstop cartoons were enough to keep my attention and keep a smile on my face. The visuals were insane in this movie, and I loved almost every minute of it.

Cloverfield: Not quite my favorite movie of the year, but this one came out of nowhere and surprised the hell out of me by actually turning out to be a great film. The monster movie genre is a bit old and worn out, but J.J. Abrams and director Matt Reeves breathed new life into it with their allegory of September 11th masked in a story of a destructive creature who tears New York City apart. The main reason why this movie worked? The characters. Hmm...maybe Hollywood should catch on to this pattern for their next big budget spectacle.

The Fall: This is another one you might not have seen, but since it's on this list, you'll rightly assume that I'd recommend checking it out. A whimsical story of adventure told featuring a "story within a story" structure, Tarsem's follow-up to The Cell is much more visually striking and emotionally satisfying. This movie conjures images of strange lands and wild and weird fairy tales, shot in 20 countries over four years. The characters are likable, the story is well-written, and the costume design (something I almost never mention) will blow your mind.

Slumdog Millionaire: Like 2003's City of God, this movie swept me into a world I'd never seen and I loved every second of it. The writing is freaking brilliant: the main character Jamal is playing Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and each time he answers a question, the film flashes back to the point in his life when he learned the answer. Powerful, visually arresting, and extraordinarily directed by Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire had me reeling for weeks after I saw it. This is a fairy tale love story of the best kind.

In Bruges: Colin Farrell delivers the best performance of his career in this black comedy/action thriller set in Bruges, Belgium. One of the most original movies I've ever seen, I really hope writer/director Martin McDonagh gets behind the camera again soon. This movie almost defies explanation, so I'd urge you to see it for yourself if you haven't had the chance.

Iron Man: Talk about coming out of nowhere. Jon Favreau made the most seamless transition I've ever seen from indie to huge budget movies, and did it with style and class. Iron Man caught almost everyone by surprise, and ushered in the Era of Downey. Perfectly capturing the tone and essence of the comics, this movie was one of the few origin stories that didn't seem like they were simply going through the motions because they were required to. The story was fun, the characters felt like real people, and the all-star cast was clearly having a great time making the movie. It's hard to define that kind of feeling on a set, but it certainly translated into a fantastic final product for the rest of us to enjoy. And, while I'm usually wary of sequels, I'm excited about this one.

The Dark Knight: Like almost everyone else, I'd put this at my favorite movie of the year. You all know the drill - Heath was awe-inspiring, Bale's Bat-voice was the only real flaw, and Nolan freaking dominates. This is one of those movies where if I catch a few minutes of it on TV, I have to finish the whole thing. And you know what? I'm never disappointed. The only real crime is that Aaron Eckhart gets so little credit for his portrayal of Harvey Dent, which I legitimately think was award-worthy.

Likely to see on other people's "Best Of" lists: Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Tropic Thunder, Frost/Nixon, Milk, The Wrestler, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Hellboy II: The Golden Army

My Favorites of the 2000's: 2007

Wristcutters: A Love Story: My favorite film of the year. This is criminally overlooked by the critical community and the occasional moviegoer alike, and it's a crying shame. Featuring a brilliant script by Goran Dukic (he directed as well), along with pitch-perfect performances from Patrick Fugit and Shannyn Sossamon, this movie deals with some heavy material but is ultimately uplifting. I hesitate to use the word "transcendent," but that's how this movie made me feel. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Gone Baby Gone: Ben Affleck's directorial debut was startlingly good, a moody detective story about the kidnapping of a young girl in Boston. Based on the book by "Mystic River" author Dennis Lehane, Affleck creates a unique atmosphere and urges solid work from his younger brother Casey, who plays the lead role. Supporting work from Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Amy Adams, and Michelle Monaghan make this one unforgettable in my eyes. It's not the easiest movie to watch, but I think it's a great film.

3:10 to Yuma: Russell Crowe and Christian Bale are upstaged by Ben Foster, who plays one of the best crazed henchmen in recent memory. Director James Mangold crafts a successful western, one that recalls the genre classic High Noon and racks up the tension thanks to an excellent script. Even though Ben Foster's Charlie Prince is the most memorable character, Crowe and Bale put on an acting clinic: reserved and contemplative at the same time, the two actors never try to outdo each other and they are both fascinating to watch in this film.

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters: One of my favorite documentaries, The King of Kong follows a middle school science teacher as he faces off against one of the most memorable nonfiction villains in recent memory: Billy Mitchell, the Donkey Kong world record holder. This is an incredibly entertaining movie even for those who haven't ever played Donkey Kong. If you have even a slight interest in video games and the subculture surrounding their players, this is the doc for you.

No Country For Old Men: The Coen's bleak take on the western genre features enough nihilism for the biggest cynic out there, but Javier Bardem's work as the terrifying Anton Chigurh and Tommy Lee Jones' turn as the one-step-behind Texas sheriff makes this worth watching. The film won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, so I'm obviously not the only one who dug it. The ending may have been unsatisfying to some, but in retrospect it was a stroke of brilliance by the immensely talented Brothers Coen.

There Will Be Blood: Paul Thomas Anderson tackles religion and capitalism in his epic period drama. Nothing more needs to be said about how amazing Daniel Day-Lewis was as Daniel Plainview, and I was psyched when "I'll Drink Your Milkshake" fever swept the nation, albeit for a brief time. I've still only seen this movie once, but even with that one viewing I know it's one of my favorites of 2007. I plan on seeing it again soon to try and decipher some of the more complex messages Anderson embedded, and I'd recommend a second viewing even if you didn't like it the first time around.

The Bourne Ultimatum: I was so disappointed when I heard that Hollywood was interested in a fourth Bourne film, because I think this one is a perfect capstone to a pretty excellent trilogy. Damon embodies the character with just the right amount of emotional distress, and is completely believable in fight scene after fight scene. Paul Greengrass dialed the shaky cam down a little from The Bourne Supremacy (which I disliked because of the nausea induced by the aforementioned camera style) and really let the story take the reins in this installment of the franchise. This was one of the best sequels in a year littered with big screen sequels, and I'm honestly hoping that we never see a Bourne 4 hit theaters.

Likely to see on other people's "Best Of" lists: Juno, American Gangster, I Am Legend, Atonement, Eastern Promises, Rescue Dawn, Sunshine

My Favorites of the 2000's: 2006

The Departed: Scorsese won his first (long-overdue) Oscar with this flick, and his movie deserves every accolade it received. Inspired casting, an awesome script, and great direction kick this movie into a realm some films can only dream of reaching. The twisty storyline left everyone wondering how it would play out, and the shocking ending was the only satisfying way this story could have ended. Easily rewatchable.

The Prestige: Like The Sixth Sense before it, I wanted to see The Prestige again immediately after walking out of the theater. I keep mentioning casting, but I can't oversell its importance in a film, and they really knocked it out of the park here. The pairing of Jackman and Bale with supporting turns from Scarlett Johansson and Michael Caine made for an incredibly entertaining battle that wouldn't have been nearly effective with lesser actors. The script was fantastic, and although the story delves slightly into the supernatural, it still feels plausible within the world Christopher Nolan and his team created. This is hands down one of my favorite movies of the decade.

The Fountain: This one doesn't get enough love, and I'm doing my part to change that. Another intense performance from Jackman, solid work from Rachel Weisz, and brilliant direction from Darren Aronofsky add to the emotional core of this movie, one which connected with me on a personal level. It's very ethereal, and definitely not for some, but for those who stick it out and don't mind considering some heavy concepts like death and the afterlife, The Fountain is sure to pay off.

The Protector: Tony Jaa's follow-up to Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior, The Protector is a Thai action film that sees Jaa evoking the days of early Jackie Chan, and then smashing those memories with an elbow drop. The story is simplistic (Jaa's pet elephant is stolen, he must get him back), but the action is so heavy that it's hard to pick out a favorite scene. Whether it's the four minute continuous long shot up a massive staircase or the scene where Jaa's character takes on fifty guys singlehandedly, The Protector offers loads of badassery and is a must-see for any action junkie.

Crank: Nevaldine and Taylor made their mark with this high octane thriller. Injected with a lethal poison, Jason Statham's Chev Chelios must keep his heart pumping long enough to enact revenge on the men who poisoned him. Spoiler alert: he does, and it's ridiculously entertaining. It's a shame the sequel didn't capture the same amount of fun that this one did.

V For Vendetta: Something about this movie really stuck with me, and I'm not entirely sure what it is. Perhaps the whole picture - Natalie Portman's strong performance, Hugo Weaving as the charming and mysterious V, the political allegory in a movie based on a comic book - made an impact, but I really dug this movie and harbor no apologies for liking it.

Lucky Number Slevin: The trailer for this movie undersells the hell out of it, and I came out of the theater pleasantly surprised. The dialogue is incredible, sharp and witty, and this film completed the unlikely task of turning me into a Josh Hartnett fan. Even Lucy Liu, whom I normally despise, was shockingly watchable here. The script is fantastic and the one-liners fly left and right in this story of betrayal, assassination, and a man in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Casino Royale: The reinvention of the Bond franchise caught me off guard, especially Daniel Craig as Bond. I was a vocal detractor of his, but this movie caused me to place my foot squarely in my mouth. Much of the credit for the success of this movie must go to Martin Campbell, who also gave the dying franchise a shot of adrenaline with Goldeneye back in 1995. If only they'd bring him back for the sequel to the dismal Quantum of Solace...

Mission: Impossible III: J.J. Abrams' directorial debut was a spectacular action movie with some amazing set pieces. Philip Seymour Hoffman's nefarious villain was not physically threatening, but the madness behind his eyes made him the biggest threat Ethan Hunt has yet to face. Cruise, whom one might assume would be getting a little old for the role at this point, carried the character without a hint of aging, and I'm definitely interested in seeing another Mission: Impossible movie in the next few years if it's anything like this one. And that bridge sequence? Excellent.

Likely to see on everyone else's "Best Of" lists: The Science of Sleep, Thank You For Smoking, Letters From Iwo Jima, Pan's Labyrinth, Children of Men, The Good Shepherd, Curse of the Golden Flower