2007
Gone Baby Gone
Writers: Ben Affleck and Aaron Stockard
Starring: Casey Affleck, Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris
Ben Affleck's directorial debut and the start of what promises to be a very successful career behind the camera. An engaging crime story that has an unexpected twist, based around a question of morality, that will stay with you long after the perfect final scene. While some have labelled the twist silly, which it is, it works due to the talent involved, the question it poses and the way in which it is concluded. Gripping, thoughtful and memorable.
Writers: Ben Affleck and Aaron Stockard
Starring: Casey Affleck, Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris
Ben Affleck's directorial debut and the start of what promises to be a very successful career behind the camera. An engaging crime story that has an unexpected twist, based around a question of morality, that will stay with you long after the perfect final scene. While some have labelled the twist silly, which it is, it works due to the talent involved, the question it poses and the way in which it is concluded. Gripping, thoughtful and memorable.
Juno
Writer: Diablo Cody
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, J.K. Simmons, Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner
Another teenage movie, that with dialogue beyond its protagonist's years made the film go from hipsters darling to hipsters target, as the film went on to Oscar recognition. Juno is a satirical, comedic yet sill thoughtful and emotional look at teenage pregnancy. It doesn't have a Hollywood ending and in fact draws interesting characters and therefore performances for and out of its supporting players, Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner. It's the film that pushed Ellen Page and ex-stripper turned writer Diablo Cody into the stratosphere, while cementing Michael Cera's place as 'the socially awkward teen'
Writer: Diablo Cody
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, J.K. Simmons, Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner
Another teenage movie, that with dialogue beyond its protagonist's years made the film go from hipsters darling to hipsters target, as the film went on to Oscar recognition. Juno is a satirical, comedic yet sill thoughtful and emotional look at teenage pregnancy. It doesn't have a Hollywood ending and in fact draws interesting characters and therefore performances for and out of its supporting players, Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner. It's the film that pushed Ellen Page and ex-stripper turned writer Diablo Cody into the stratosphere, while cementing Michael Cera's place as 'the socially awkward teen'
Knocked Up
Writer and Director: Judd Apatow
Starring: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Jason Segel, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann
Judd Apatow was the biggest name in comedy this decade with films he directed such as this and The 40 Year Old Virgin, as well as films he produced such as Superbad. While Superbad was arguably the more influential comedy of the Apatow wave, it is Knocked Up which has aged, with me, the best. Like every Apatow directed film it does go on too long, however unlike the self-indulgent and worst of the decade contender, Funny People, Knocked Up is engaging and funny throughout. It has moments of genuine poignancy and like Juno deals with pregnancy and romantic relationships in a way that is initially comedic but ultimately says something substantial in a reasonably mature manner.
Writer and Director: Judd Apatow
Starring: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Jason Segel, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann
Judd Apatow was the biggest name in comedy this decade with films he directed such as this and The 40 Year Old Virgin, as well as films he produced such as Superbad. While Superbad was arguably the more influential comedy of the Apatow wave, it is Knocked Up which has aged, with me, the best. Like every Apatow directed film it does go on too long, however unlike the self-indulgent and worst of the decade contender, Funny People, Knocked Up is engaging and funny throughout. It has moments of genuine poignancy and like Juno deals with pregnancy and romantic relationships in a way that is initially comedic but ultimately says something substantial in a reasonably mature manner.
No Country for Old Men
Writers and Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring: Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem and Tommy Lee Jones
This Best Picture winning crime/chase thriller gave us one of the most memorable villains of the decade and of all time in Anton Chigurh. Its controversially sombre and thoughtful conclusion has inspired much discussion, which along with the film's direction, cinematography and performances will ensure its place as one of the Coen brother's finest and remembered films.
Writers and Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring: Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem and Tommy Lee Jones
This Best Picture winning crime/chase thriller gave us one of the most memorable villains of the decade and of all time in Anton Chigurh. Its controversially sombre and thoughtful conclusion has inspired much discussion, which along with the film's direction, cinematography and performances will ensure its place as one of the Coen brother's finest and remembered films.
The Bourne Ultimatum
Writer: Tony Gilroy, Scott Z. Burns and George Nolfi
Director: Paul Greengrass
Starring: Matt Damon, Paddy Considine, Joan Allen and Albert Finney
Action filmmaking at its finest, the Bourne series revolutionized the way in which action was shot this decade and the next. The Bourne films were so influential within their genre that even the king, James Bond, was reduced to imitating it. Ultimatum is the apex of this trilogy, one that got better with each installment. Whether this year's spin off The Bourne Legacy, can live up to this film remains to be seen. However there is no doubting the impact and quality of this exhilarating film.
Writer: Tony Gilroy, Scott Z. Burns and George Nolfi
Director: Paul Greengrass
Starring: Matt Damon, Paddy Considine, Joan Allen and Albert Finney
Action filmmaking at its finest, the Bourne series revolutionized the way in which action was shot this decade and the next. The Bourne films were so influential within their genre that even the king, James Bond, was reduced to imitating it. Ultimatum is the apex of this trilogy, one that got better with each installment. Whether this year's spin off The Bourne Legacy, can live up to this film remains to be seen. However there is no doubting the impact and quality of this exhilarating film.
The Mist
Writer and Director: Frank Darabont
Starring: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden and Laurie Holden
A stunning, mostly one-location, horror film about paranoia and human nature. Based on a novel by Stephen King and from the director of The Shawshank Redemption, The Mist is a film that will keep you gripped right through to its sucker punch of an ending.
Writer and Director: Frank Darabont
Starring: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden and Laurie Holden
A stunning, mostly one-location, horror film about paranoia and human nature. Based on a novel by Stephen King and from the director of The Shawshank Redemption, The Mist is a film that will keep you gripped right through to its sucker punch of an ending.
Zodiac
Writer: James Vanderblit
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo
Had to have a David Fincher film on this list and Zodiac is easily his best offering of this decade. Based on a chilling true story, Zodiac is a long, atmospheric and ambiguous film, which brings to life an unclosed chapter of U.S. criminal investigations history. Directed superbly by Fincher with his trademark subtle use of visual effects and sublime selection of music (You will never listen to Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donavan in the same way) Zodiac is a film which was criminally underrated both financially and by the awards bodies. A more sophisticated, realistic, big brother to his second feature, Seven, Zodiac remains to be many people's favourite Fincher film.
Writer: James Vanderblit
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo
Had to have a David Fincher film on this list and Zodiac is easily his best offering of this decade. Based on a chilling true story, Zodiac is a long, atmospheric and ambiguous film, which brings to life an unclosed chapter of U.S. criminal investigations history. Directed superbly by Fincher with his trademark subtle use of visual effects and sublime selection of music (You will never listen to Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donavan in the same way) Zodiac is a film which was criminally underrated both financially and by the awards bodies. A more sophisticated, realistic, big brother to his second feature, Seven, Zodiac remains to be many people's favourite Fincher film.
