The 25 Best Films of the 21st Century (So Far)
Last week, the revered Manohla Dargis and A.O. Scott of the New York Times released a comprehensive list of their Top 25 ranked films since the year 2000.
I won't bore you with too long an introduction, but essentially, I wanted to do one for myself. Theirs was a good list, a fine list. But it was certainly written as ambassadors of 'high cinema'; by that I mean many titles among the 25 would have been lost on the everyday moviegoer. Though I consider myself invested in good cinema, I'm not enough of a student nor snob to overlook the higher-budget, more widespread releases you all might be familiar with. So, I thought my list of 25 might strike a nicer balance for those of you who love movies but also love movies you can talk about with your whole family, not just your weird cousin who stays up in his room all Christmas and doesn't shower but then comes downstairs and describes in full detail how Jean-Luc Godard is the genius we don't deserve.
What's more, as a sister of mine eloquently pointed out, Dargis and Scott seem to have fallen prey to the "huge temptation to skew toward pet biases that make it inconsistent. It's clear in some cases they were just trying to fit a fave director or a soft-spot genre onto the list, which is too bad." I concur, and while I also tried to ensure variety of genres on this list, I refused to shoehorn certain movies in for the sake of diversity. Long story short: sorry if my list bores you.
First, the first 5 out, the best of a long list of extremely honorable mentions:
Gravity, The Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl, Master And Commander, Slumdog Millionaire, The Big Short
25. Her
In almost any other year, Spike Jonze's futuristic romance would have been a surefire frontrunner for Best Picture, but sadly, it was one amidst many incredible nominees in 2013. Nevertheless, this oft-uncomfortable, but wholly engaging film offers a poignant examination at a 'relationship' that doesn't seem all too unbelievable, and is spearheaded by an amazing acting job from Joaquin Phoenix.
24. Spotlight
In an era of groundbreaking artistic cinema, Spotlight isn't a film that you're going to write home about for technical, costuming, or cinematographical reasons. It is a traditional film with a straightforward storyline, but the 2015 Best Picture winner is a brilliant one because of the masterful acting performances of its cast, and the brilliant screenplay that unravels the horrors and complexities of the true story, rather than drown it in melodrama.
23. Frozen
A nationwide sensation and months of ensuing hype, awards, and merchandise sales led many to scoff at and push back against the Disney mega-hit. But to those who did so: your loss. Frozen was the smash success it was because, well, there's literally nothing to not like. It has original and catchy music, wonderful characters, a storyline with a heartening conclusion, and is genuinely funny.
22. The Bourne Ultimatum
The original Bourne movies wasn't the cinematic achievement that the Lord of the Rings trilogy was, nor the gamechanger that Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy was, but it did have three of the most well-conceived and relevant action movies of its time. Ultimatum was a rare thing: a fresh, engaging, and deserving finish to a brilliant trilogy.
21. La La Land
What I said about Frozen could very well apply to this one, too, the 2016 edition of "the movie people love to hate." La La Land's somewhat underdeveloped plot and perceived social insignificance are what caused the backlash, and likely what caused it to whiff on Best Picture. But its remarkable score, choreography, design, acting and conclusion are what led the masses and critics alike to love it.
20. Monsieur Lazhar
A remarkable French-Canadian film centers around the relationship of an emigrant teacher to his young classroom in the wake of a shocking tragedy. In traditional Foreign Film fashion, it is simple, but beautiful and emotional. Cruelly, it was released the year of another remarkable Foreign-language film (see #16), otherwise this could have been expected to win big in the awards circuit.
19. Finding Nemo
Attentive readers will notice that in my "23 Films for 23 Years" article, I had this running-up to Pirates of the Caribbean for the film of 2003. So why does it in come in front of Jack Sparrow this time? Because it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind, that's why! Nemo was the first I saw that made me realize how much animated films could work for children and adults alike. It's hilarious, enthralling, and emotional, and avoids any sort of obnoxiousness. Though, like Frozen its omnipresence could lead to fatigue, the movie itself is one any person could watch over and over.
18. Syriana
To the likely dismay of my father, this 2005 political thriller comes in "only" at #18 in my rankings, though the truth is Syriana was released to very mixed reviews. This is probably in no small part due to the convolution of multiple, seemingly disconnected plotlines. Only in the sobering, bittersweet conclusion do we realize the ripple effect each story had on another. Let's face it: George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Jeffrey Wright in a political film based on a true story should be enough to get you to watch.
17. Ratatouille
Though Ratatouille probably isn't my favorite animated movie ever, I have beaten the drum for years that it is the most under-appreciated. It garnered rave reviews (in fact, if I'm not mistaken, it is the best reviewed film in the entire Pixar canon), but when you take informal polls of the best animated movie, or even just best Pixar movie, you rarely hear its name. That's a shame, because the splendid animation, lovely music, and copious wit is as transportive as any French art house cinema.
16. A Separation
Here is what I recently said about A Separation: "2011 saw a silent film win Best Picture, and its actual best two movies come from non-American countries. Iran's winner for Best Foreign Film was my personal favorite. A family drama about a couple's file for divorce and their daughter's impending choice of parent is simple, heartbreaking, well-acted, and unraveled gently and beautifully."
15. True Grit
That this Coen Brothers' take on the John Wayne classic was probably only the 3rd- or 4th-best film of its year is more of a testament to how incredible the field was in 2010. Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Hailee Steinfeld all turned in brilliant work as the 3 protagonists in this hilarious, suspenseful revenge Western thriller.
14. Paradise Now
Another oversight from my "23 Years" article, and I don't have an excuse for forgetting this one. This relatively short Palestinian film is equal parts emotional and troubling, as it displays the humanity behind two suicide bombers. Marvelous acting and direction help show the viewer that tragic missions such as the one in the plot are not carried out by savage monsters, but often times by people stuck in the midst of religious and moral quandary.
13. Room
Of the many stellar nominees for Best Picture in 2015, this one took my personal prize. Here's what I recently said about Room: "I was most blown away by [this film], which made an extended set out of a kidnap shed, and which featured my two favorite acting performances of the year from Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay."
12. Selma
Selma could have so easily botched the significance of the MLK-led march in Alabama by adding frill or over-dramatization, or by turning the Civil Rights icon himself into a mythological figure of sorts. Instead, Ava DuVernay expertly stuck to retelling historical events while also created an impressive piece of dramatic cinema. I was struck by the brilliance of the script, the score and especially the acting.
11. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Here's what I recently said about this film: "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is perhaps the best example of the breathless beauty of Chinese wuxia film, and the martial arts action, and acting performances by the male and female lead are every bit as captivating."
10. Inside Out
It may not be a traditional pick for Favorite Animated Flick, but Pixar's Inside Out is through-and-through the best cartoon movie ever made. Why? Simply put, though it can be a delightful watch for a child, it's a movie for adults to appreciate. The interplay between the characters inside Riley's head and between her and her parents is hilarious and frustratingly relatable. And the emotional payoff hits harder than many live-action movies you will watch in your lifetime.
9. Moonlight
Here's what I recently said about the current Best Picture winner: "The really sad aspect of the botched Best Picture announcement was that it led to a confused muted reaction instead of deserving praise for the amazing film this was. Moonlight can be tough to watch, but is beautiful, achingly emotional, and has characters that feel as real as the brilliant actors that play them."
8. The Grand Budapest Hotel
Here's what I recently said about the 2014 comedy: "Grand Budapest was my introduction to Wes Anderson, and I'm grateful for the introduction. Acting, Score, Screenplay, and Production Design are all mesmerizing."
7. Captain Phillips
Paul Greengrass has a knack for directing some of my favorite movies (Bloody Sunday, the 2nd and 3rd Bourne films), and that this film is his best speaks volumes about the work he and Tom Hanks did. Relaying a true story of a U.S. cargo captain held hostage by Somali pirates, the pace of action is enthralling, the acting brilliant, and the closing scene one of the finest scenes in modern cinema.
6. Fruitvale Station
Here's what I recently said about Fruitvale Station: "I got [this movie] for Christmas, and I still haven't watched it since 2013. That should tell you a little bit about how painful it is to watch. That doesn't mean the true story of the Oscar Grant shooting isn't necessary viewing, nor does it mean that the acting, writing, and direction was anything short of brilliant. In a truly magnificent year of movies (in my opinion, the greatest year ever), this was the best."
5. The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers
Here's what I recently said about the second installment of The Lord Of The Rings: "Though it was my least favorite of the books, Two Towers is by far the best standalone film of the 3, and nobody will convince me otherwise. Helm's Deep. Eomer and Eowyn. Elrond vividly explaining to Arwen the peril of her love for Aragorn. This was the most deserving in the trilogy of Best Picture."
4. The Dark Knight
Somewhere, my little brother is scoffing that it took this long to get to a Christopher Nolan film. While most of the British director's resume could, I think, pass as among the best movies of their year, arguably none made the impact that the second Batman flick did. The outrage over Dark Knight's exclusion from major categories prompted the Academy to expand the Best Picture field to up to 10 nominees in future years, Heath Ledger became one of the most iconic villains in cinema history just before his untimely death, and superhero films' clear good guy-bad guy lines were forever blurred.
3. There Will Be Blood
In Daniel Day-Lewis' ridiculously distinguished career, no role of his (no, not even Abraham Lincoln) will be as legendary as the "oil man," Daniel Plainview. There Will Be Blood is not a fun watch by any stretch of the imagination. It's gritty, it's infuriating, it's potent, and it's brilliant in those realms.
2. Good Night, And Good Luck
Good Night, And Good Luck, with its impeccable acting, dialogue and camerawork was already a classic upon its release in 2005. Now, in the days of furor over journalistic integrity, the retelling of Edward Murrow taking on the Red Scare is an essential.
1. Inception
This decision should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me, as I have said for years that Inception, Christopher Nolan's magnum opus, is the best film of the 21st Century. I (still) plan on someday writing an extensive and thorough explication of its brilliance. The SparkNotes version is this: its screenplay is so intelligent and complex that it took the smartest filmmaker in Hollywood 10 years to write. Its action is genuine "edge of your seat" stuff. Its special effects were game-changing. Its acting and musical score were tear-inducing. Watch this movie, then watch it again. And again and again and again. And each time, soak up the aspects you already loved, and take note of the details you undoubtedly missed until now.