At first, I gave up the idea of writing a top ten list of the decade, but with Harry Potter, closing a big door on fantasy films, that started 10 years ago in 2001, I figured I'd make a list, ranging from 2001-2011.
Since, Friday, July 15th, will end the Geek Film Reign with the final Harry Potter, here’s my ten favorite "Geek" movies of the decade. Now, these may not be the "best" movies of the decade. There have been some great films this decade...and some better than the ones on this list... But, these are the films that have that "repeat" value. I can see these movies on a consistent basis, and, any mood I’m in, they have a way of lifting my spirits.
There are some movies that are absent from this. Obviously, dramas like United 93, and Passion of the Christ, were great for drama, but do they have repeat value as some other movies? I mean, how many times can you see a movie where Jesus is beaten for two hours? Or, another film, focusing on that awful day of 9/11? I can’t really put them on a top ten list cause I don’t see them at least once a year. The movies below are on that list of multiple viewings.
This decade has been great for romance movies like Once, or romantic comedies like 500 Days of Summer, but I chose a certain romantic film because I feel it has the whole package of romance, music, and that newness of falling in love.
Some might ask, why isn’t Pixar on the list? The truth is, there’s not one Pixar film I could pick. Monsters Inc.? Incredibles? Wall-E? UP? Toy Story 3? They just keep getting better and better. So I put Pixar on my BEST PRODUCERS OF THE DECADE list. I don’t think anyone would contest that title. Even their lesser movies like Cars and Nemo, are still fantastic. They have taken the torch passed down by Jim Henson, and ran with it to the finish line.
If I can pick one of the best directors of the decade, I would definitely say, Chris Nolan, without question. But I’d also mention Steven Spielberg, who has made some interesting movies, like Munich, a hidden classic from his catalogue. I'll go as far as to say Schindler's List was his Godfather I and Munich was his Godfather II. He was robbed, again, at the Oscars.
But, if I have to pick the MOST IMPORTANT FILMMAKER OF THE DECADE, that mantle would go to Michael Moore. Whether you agree with the man or not, (I probably don’t agree with him on everything), but, you have to admit, he has seriously stepped up his game, and he has eclipsed the small time director who made Roger & Me. He entered a different league, this decade.
Also, Michael Moore created a revolution in the film industry, and this last decade had some of the greatest documentaries ever made. Just look at the immense body of work that directors have put out. In a decade dominated by fantasy and comic book movies, this decade had some of the best "real" films ever made. Of course, as I stated above, when you’re dealing with movies of a serious subject, you must be in the mood. And since, I have to pick, my “favorite, repeat-value movies", I had to choose the list below.
Another great thing about this decade, there were some sequels that we’d never thought we’d see. They need some special recognition, here. Some sequels were great, some of them, let’s just say, should have stayed on the: "why would you ever make a sequel to this?" list. (Predators, anyone?)
Here’s a few sequels that we’d never thought would happen, but were, actually, not that bad: Star Trek, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Tron 2, Rocky VI, Jason versus Freddy, Rambo IV, Clerks II, Wallstreet 2.
Now, to my list...I picked some movies that were part of a series. Some might say, why did you pick THIS movie of the series and not THAT one of the series. But I had to pick my personal favorites. It’s arguable, especially with number 4 on my list, if I picked the "best" of the series. But, I will issue a disclaimer that all the sequels have an "honorable mention", but I had to pick the one that stands apart, for me. For one reason or another, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer...you get the idea.
And drumroll, please, here’s my list, in order of importance:
1. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
2. Batman: The Dark Knight (2008)
3. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003)
4. Spiderman (2002)
5. Casino Royale (2006)
6. Moulin Rouge (2001)
7. School of Rock (2003)
8. Polar Express (2004)
9. Iron Man (2008)
10. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
......
I would love to hear what everyone has to say about my selections.
PS: Don't beat me up, hehehe.
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