The Top 50 Films of the Decade (2000-2009)
Due to popular demand, I (Movie Parliament Prime Minister, Michael Dalton) have compiled my top fifty films of the decade. There are two important things to stress about this list, the first being that these are my personal favourites of the decade and while some films have been included primarily for their impact in shaping the decade of film or for reflecting the decade, most of the films are purely my favourites. Secondly as I did not see every single film released from 2000 to 2009 and there are only fifty films that can be included in a top fifty, there will not be every film here that perhaps should be. That however is what Movie Parliament's Your Say section is for, where you can call me an idiot for the films I did and didn't include, shaping your own top fifty as a result. These films are not ranked from one to fifty but instead are presented to you year by year in alphabetical order. Below is my top ten of the decade, with the deliberate decision to choose a film from each year, with links to see my other favourite films from each year. Given that I have decided to pick a favourite from each year to act as a gateway into the year, this isn't really my top ten of the decade, merely my favourite films from each individual year gathered together.
2009
Film of 2009: Inglourious Basterds
Writer and Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Melanie Laurent, Diane Kruger, Michael Fassbender, Mike Myers, Eli Roth and Til Schweiger
Promotion for Inglourious Basterds carried the tagline, "You haven't seen war...until you've seen it through the eyes...of Quentin Tarantino" and they were right. Basterds may be my favourite Tarantino film and was easily my favourite film of 2009. The film contains two, twenty minute long scenes of delicious, dangerous, tension building dialogue which then explodes into brief bursts of brutal violence. Christoph Waltz came to fame in this film with his Oscar winning performance as Hans Landa ("The Jew Hunter") and it was one of the best and most deserving Oscar wins in history. A performance that you couldn't take your eyes away from...a cunning, chilling and oddly charming character who must go down as one of, if not Tarantino's best. The film ends with Brad Pitt's comical Aldo Raine saying, "This might just be my masterpiece" Tarantino talking through his lead and making a statement that couldn't be closer to the truth. Inglourious isn't for everyone and you certainly have to be tuned in to Tarantino's wacky style and universe to take a seat, but if you do, then you are in for one hell of a ride. It is a film which literally rewrites history...
To see the eight other films from 2009 that made my top fifty of the decade click the year above or click here.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Melanie Laurent, Diane Kruger, Michael Fassbender, Mike Myers, Eli Roth and Til Schweiger
Promotion for Inglourious Basterds carried the tagline, "You haven't seen war...until you've seen it through the eyes...of Quentin Tarantino" and they were right. Basterds may be my favourite Tarantino film and was easily my favourite film of 2009. The film contains two, twenty minute long scenes of delicious, dangerous, tension building dialogue which then explodes into brief bursts of brutal violence. Christoph Waltz came to fame in this film with his Oscar winning performance as Hans Landa ("The Jew Hunter") and it was one of the best and most deserving Oscar wins in history. A performance that you couldn't take your eyes away from...a cunning, chilling and oddly charming character who must go down as one of, if not Tarantino's best. The film ends with Brad Pitt's comical Aldo Raine saying, "This might just be my masterpiece" Tarantino talking through his lead and making a statement that couldn't be closer to the truth. Inglourious isn't for everyone and you certainly have to be tuned in to Tarantino's wacky style and universe to take a seat, but if you do, then you are in for one hell of a ride. It is a film which literally rewrites history...
To see the eight other films from 2009 that made my top fifty of the decade click the year above or click here.
2008
Film of 2008: The Dark Knight
Writers: Christopher and Jonathan Nolan
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine
While Cloverfield was a close runner-up for this title, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight was not just the best film of 2008...it is the best "superhero" film ever made. It also can claim to truly reflect some of the issues and psyche of the decade. The Joker in The Dark Knight is a terrorist, he wants to watch the world burn and have anarchy rule the streets of Gotham. The way in which Batman must ponder his methods of stopping the Joker is eerily reflective of the way in which world governments, particularly the U.S., devised how to stop the likes of Osama Bin Laden. After all, what is Batman's sonar machine which hacks into the phones of every citizen in Gotham if not a metaphor for the U.S. Patriot Act? This is undoubtedly a post War on Terror superhero movie and more so than Batman Begins, grounds the character in the real world. The film has been labelled a crime epic with a story on a par with The Godfather, while those claims may be rather sensational, the tragic tale of Harvey Dent (Superbly acted by Aaron Eckhart), the ending which forces Batman to go on the run and be hated by the people and city he has risked his life to protect and the chaos left by the Joker all promise what will hopefully be the conclusion of an historic film trilogy with this summer's The Dark Knight Rises. This film set a new standard for the superhero genre, grossed over a billion dollars worldwide and will forever be known as the last full performance of the late, great, Heath Ledger who rightfully won a posthumous Oscar for his legendary performance in this film.
To see the other films from 2008 which made my top fifty of the decade click the year above or here.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine
While Cloverfield was a close runner-up for this title, Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight was not just the best film of 2008...it is the best "superhero" film ever made. It also can claim to truly reflect some of the issues and psyche of the decade. The Joker in The Dark Knight is a terrorist, he wants to watch the world burn and have anarchy rule the streets of Gotham. The way in which Batman must ponder his methods of stopping the Joker is eerily reflective of the way in which world governments, particularly the U.S., devised how to stop the likes of Osama Bin Laden. After all, what is Batman's sonar machine which hacks into the phones of every citizen in Gotham if not a metaphor for the U.S. Patriot Act? This is undoubtedly a post War on Terror superhero movie and more so than Batman Begins, grounds the character in the real world. The film has been labelled a crime epic with a story on a par with The Godfather, while those claims may be rather sensational, the tragic tale of Harvey Dent (Superbly acted by Aaron Eckhart), the ending which forces Batman to go on the run and be hated by the people and city he has risked his life to protect and the chaos left by the Joker all promise what will hopefully be the conclusion of an historic film trilogy with this summer's The Dark Knight Rises. This film set a new standard for the superhero genre, grossed over a billion dollars worldwide and will forever be known as the last full performance of the late, great, Heath Ledger who rightfully won a posthumous Oscar for his legendary performance in this film.
To see the other films from 2008 which made my top fifty of the decade click the year above or here.
2007
Film of 2007: Hot Fuzz
Writers: Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Edward Woodward, Billie Whitelaw,Olivia Colman, Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy, Steve Coogan and Peter Jackson (As a criminal Father Christmas)
Hot Fuzz is one of the movies which has made me the film fan I am today. Co-written and directed by Edgar Wright, it was more specifically the director's commentary on the DVD of this film which greatly expanded my knowledge of and enthusiasm towards the art of making films and the pleasure of watching them. The film is probably my favourite comedy of all time with its multi-layered, subtle visual jokes as well as its more overt parodying of the action genre. It's a comedy made by film fans for film fans and contains one of the best collections of British talent on film with the likes of Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Edward Woodward, Billie Whitelaw, Olivia Colman, Bill Nighy, Martin Freeman, Steve Coogan and Paddy Considine in the supporting cast. It's silly and subtle, mundane and over the top, rewards repeat viewings and in 7th Grade English class when we had to write a brief argumentative paragraph, my argument was that Hot Fuzz, was the best British film ever made...
To see the other films from 2007 that made my top fifty, you know what to do...here
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Edward Woodward, Billie Whitelaw,Olivia Colman, Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy, Steve Coogan and Peter Jackson (As a criminal Father Christmas)
Hot Fuzz is one of the movies which has made me the film fan I am today. Co-written and directed by Edgar Wright, it was more specifically the director's commentary on the DVD of this film which greatly expanded my knowledge of and enthusiasm towards the art of making films and the pleasure of watching them. The film is probably my favourite comedy of all time with its multi-layered, subtle visual jokes as well as its more overt parodying of the action genre. It's a comedy made by film fans for film fans and contains one of the best collections of British talent on film with the likes of Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Edward Woodward, Billie Whitelaw, Olivia Colman, Bill Nighy, Martin Freeman, Steve Coogan and Paddy Considine in the supporting cast. It's silly and subtle, mundane and over the top, rewards repeat viewings and in 7th Grade English class when we had to write a brief argumentative paragraph, my argument was that Hot Fuzz, was the best British film ever made...
To see the other films from 2007 that made my top fifty, you know what to do...here
2006
Film of 2006: Children of Men
Writers: Alfonso Cuaron, Timothy J. Sexton, David Arata, Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Starring: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore and Michael Caine
This was a tough one. Unlike 2007, 2008 and 2009 where I had not just runaway favourites of the year, but of all time, 2006 had no such film. You can see the films which almost took this spot by clicking the year above or here. Children of Men took this spot however as although I have only watched it once (And having been wanting to watch it again for some time), I did not want three films from the same filmmaker in my top ten of the decade and did not want a remake taking a spot either. Children of Men is also flying the flag for science fiction in this list and admirably so. The film is superbly shot by Emmanuel Lubezki (Oscar nominated this year for his cinematography on The Tree of Life) and there is a tracking shot in this film which will awe any film fan with knowledge of and enthusiasm in the art of filmmaking. The story is also an engaging one and the film is easily Clive Owen's best. It creates a believable, frightening future through its cinematography, script and art direction whilst also telling a story which taps into politics and themes such as hope and religion. Sadly ignored in the awards season of 2006, Children of Men is a potential future cult classic and one of the most underrated and unrecognized films of the decade.
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Starring: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore and Michael Caine
This was a tough one. Unlike 2007, 2008 and 2009 where I had not just runaway favourites of the year, but of all time, 2006 had no such film. You can see the films which almost took this spot by clicking the year above or here. Children of Men took this spot however as although I have only watched it once (And having been wanting to watch it again for some time), I did not want three films from the same filmmaker in my top ten of the decade and did not want a remake taking a spot either. Children of Men is also flying the flag for science fiction in this list and admirably so. The film is superbly shot by Emmanuel Lubezki (Oscar nominated this year for his cinematography on The Tree of Life) and there is a tracking shot in this film which will awe any film fan with knowledge of and enthusiasm in the art of filmmaking. The story is also an engaging one and the film is easily Clive Owen's best. It creates a believable, frightening future through its cinematography, script and art direction whilst also telling a story which taps into politics and themes such as hope and religion. Sadly ignored in the awards season of 2006, Children of Men is a potential future cult classic and one of the most underrated and unrecognized films of the decade.
2005
Film of 2005: Batman Begins
Writers: David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Katie Holmes, Liam Neeson, Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine
Yes, two Batman films in my top ten of the decade and two films by the same filmmaker, Christopher Nolan. Batman Begins however has become increasingly underrated in the wake of The Dark Knight, despite the fact it is one of the best origin stories put to film. Batman Begins could easily be called a character drama more than a superhero film as it has the bravery to conceal Batman for an hour of the film, to instead delve into the past and motivations of Bruce Wayne. This film was also influential in shaping how superhero films would be made for the rest of the decade. While The Dark Knight added to this, Batman Begins set the trend for moody, dark, origin stories. Any superhero movies then released that were lighter and more comedic were called internally and/or externally pieces of counter-culture, to provide audiences with an alternative to the downbeat trend. Also Batman Begins has Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson and Liam Neeson has villains, you can't argue with that...well maybe The Dark Knight can.
To see the other films from 2005 which made my top fifty of the decade click the year above or here.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Katie Holmes, Liam Neeson, Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine
Yes, two Batman films in my top ten of the decade and two films by the same filmmaker, Christopher Nolan. Batman Begins however has become increasingly underrated in the wake of The Dark Knight, despite the fact it is one of the best origin stories put to film. Batman Begins could easily be called a character drama more than a superhero film as it has the bravery to conceal Batman for an hour of the film, to instead delve into the past and motivations of Bruce Wayne. This film was also influential in shaping how superhero films would be made for the rest of the decade. While The Dark Knight added to this, Batman Begins set the trend for moody, dark, origin stories. Any superhero movies then released that were lighter and more comedic were called internally and/or externally pieces of counter-culture, to provide audiences with an alternative to the downbeat trend. Also Batman Begins has Cillian Murphy, Tom Wilkinson and Liam Neeson has villains, you can't argue with that...well maybe The Dark Knight can.
To see the other films from 2005 which made my top fifty of the decade click the year above or here.
2004
Film of 2004- Team America: World Police
Writers: Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Pam Brady
Director: Trey Parker
Starring: Trey Parker and Matt Stone
This was a VERY hard one. Infact I almost made this a tie. Fahrenheit 9/11 was close due to the lack of documentaries on this list and its relevance in the decade (Not Moore's ultimate work however), while the original Saw film could have made it, due to it being the first and best in what is now the most profitable horror series of all time. However I went for another comedy and while Shaun of the Dead was close (Not in this list as I already had Hot Fuzz) as were Dodgeball and Anchorman, I went for Team America: World Police due to it being the most decade relevant and reflective, as well as the most unique, comedy in contention. With a cast of puppets Team America: World Police eight years on (To be fair like the other three comedies in the running) is still being quoted today. Whether it be the songs denouncing Michael Bay's Pearl Harbor, its dangerous portrayal of Kim Jong Il or for MAAAT DAAAAAAMON.
To see the other films from 2004 which made my top fifty, click the year above or here.
Director: Trey Parker
Starring: Trey Parker and Matt Stone
This was a VERY hard one. Infact I almost made this a tie. Fahrenheit 9/11 was close due to the lack of documentaries on this list and its relevance in the decade (Not Moore's ultimate work however), while the original Saw film could have made it, due to it being the first and best in what is now the most profitable horror series of all time. However I went for another comedy and while Shaun of the Dead was close (Not in this list as I already had Hot Fuzz) as were Dodgeball and Anchorman, I went for Team America: World Police due to it being the most decade relevant and reflective, as well as the most unique, comedy in contention. With a cast of puppets Team America: World Police eight years on (To be fair like the other three comedies in the running) is still being quoted today. Whether it be the songs denouncing Michael Bay's Pearl Harbor, its dangerous portrayal of Kim Jong Il or for MAAAT DAAAAAAMON.
To see the other films from 2004 which made my top fifty, click the year above or here.
2003
Film of 2003: The School of Rock
Writer: Mike White
Director: Richard Linklater
Starring: Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack and Sarah Silverman
Out of all my top ten of the decade choices, this is probably the most debatable. While this year saw the release of the eleven Oscars winning, billion dollar grossing Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. I've got to be honest here and state that the film from 2003 I have watched the most since its release, is School of Rock. This is a very charming, simple yet incredibly well done and funny film. Jack Black gives a performance where all the worst is toned down and the best is allowed to shine, while its impossible not to feel good come the film's conclusion. Yes it may not reflect the decade the way other films do on this list, be the cinematic achievement or influential accomplishment that other films are, but there is always room for an effective, family film and School of Rock is just that.
To see the other films from 2003 that made my top fifty click the year above or here.
Director: Richard Linklater
Starring: Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack and Sarah Silverman
Out of all my top ten of the decade choices, this is probably the most debatable. While this year saw the release of the eleven Oscars winning, billion dollar grossing Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. I've got to be honest here and state that the film from 2003 I have watched the most since its release, is School of Rock. This is a very charming, simple yet incredibly well done and funny film. Jack Black gives a performance where all the worst is toned down and the best is allowed to shine, while its impossible not to feel good come the film's conclusion. Yes it may not reflect the decade the way other films do on this list, be the cinematic achievement or influential accomplishment that other films are, but there is always room for an effective, family film and School of Rock is just that.
To see the other films from 2003 that made my top fifty click the year above or here.
2002
Film of 2002: Bowling for Columbine
Writer and Director: Michael Moore
Starring: Michael Moore, Marilyn Manson and Charlton Heston
There needed to be at least one documentary in my top ten and while it can be argued that Fahrenheit 9/11 is more reflective of the decade as a whole, Bowling for Columbine is in my eyes Michael Moore's finest films and transcends its initial investigation into the Columbine massacre to make a comment on U.S. foreign policy which would remain resonant in that decade and still in this decade. The columbine massacre was loosely realized by Gus Van Sant in his 2003 film Elephant, however it is this film which is the ultimate say on that sad chapter in history, on film. This is a film which proves documentaries can be entertaining whilst also being insightful and it has scenes which stick long in the memory. It is a film which does what a lot of great filmmaking should do...stick with you.
Starring: Michael Moore, Marilyn Manson and Charlton Heston
There needed to be at least one documentary in my top ten and while it can be argued that Fahrenheit 9/11 is more reflective of the decade as a whole, Bowling for Columbine is in my eyes Michael Moore's finest films and transcends its initial investigation into the Columbine massacre to make a comment on U.S. foreign policy which would remain resonant in that decade and still in this decade. The columbine massacre was loosely realized by Gus Van Sant in his 2003 film Elephant, however it is this film which is the ultimate say on that sad chapter in history, on film. This is a film which proves documentaries can be entertaining whilst also being insightful and it has scenes which stick long in the memory. It is a film which does what a lot of great filmmaking should do...stick with you.
2001
Film of 2001: Donnie Darko
Writer and Director: Richard Kelly
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze and Drew Barrymore
Arguably the first 'cult film' of the decade, Donnie Darko is part horror, part science fiction and entire comment on teen alienation. The breakthrough of Jake Gyllenhaal, Donnie Darko is a film that flopped at the cinema yet found a midnight movie presence, becoming a hit on video. The film is Richard Kelly's finest and some argue that with Southland Tales and The Box, he is yet to build upon the promise shown in this debut. The film is haunting, complex and unlike anything you have ever seen, with a wonderful, tangible atmosphere built up over its running time. As Roger Ebert says, "I don't know what happened in this film but I don't want to know" and for some, including myself, the director's cut release of the film spelled out the mysteries in a way I could have done without. However like the other films on this list, it influenced the filmmakers of the decade and is easily one of the decade's most unique and memorable films.
To see my other favourite film from 2001 click the year above or here
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze and Drew Barrymore
Arguably the first 'cult film' of the decade, Donnie Darko is part horror, part science fiction and entire comment on teen alienation. The breakthrough of Jake Gyllenhaal, Donnie Darko is a film that flopped at the cinema yet found a midnight movie presence, becoming a hit on video. The film is Richard Kelly's finest and some argue that with Southland Tales and The Box, he is yet to build upon the promise shown in this debut. The film is haunting, complex and unlike anything you have ever seen, with a wonderful, tangible atmosphere built up over its running time. As Roger Ebert says, "I don't know what happened in this film but I don't want to know" and for some, including myself, the director's cut release of the film spelled out the mysteries in a way I could have done without. However like the other films on this list, it influenced the filmmakers of the decade and is easily one of the decade's most unique and memorable films.
To see my other favourite film from 2001 click the year above or here
2000
Film of 2000: Requiem for a Dream
Writers: Hubert Selby Jr. and Darren Aronofsky
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto and Jennifer Connelly
One of the most disturbing and upsetting films I have ever seen, I never wanted to take drugs before seeing Requiem for a Dream and I don't even want to be near drugs after seeing it. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (Who also gave us this decade's The Wrestler and the brilliant Black Swan) Requiem for a Dream is a film that I would need to prepare heavily for to watch again, such is the punch in the gut impact the film has on you by its conclusion. The film is in my top ten of the decade for a few reasons. One, the ability to elicit such a reaction from me. Two, I want Darren Aronofsky (One of my favourite filmmakers) to join this list amongst my other favourite filmmakers Edgar Wright, Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan. Finally, for the theme song by Clint Mansell, which was perhaps the most used piece of music in movie trailers this decade.
To see the other films from 2000 that made my top fifty click the year above or here.
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto and Jennifer Connelly
One of the most disturbing and upsetting films I have ever seen, I never wanted to take drugs before seeing Requiem for a Dream and I don't even want to be near drugs after seeing it. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (Who also gave us this decade's The Wrestler and the brilliant Black Swan) Requiem for a Dream is a film that I would need to prepare heavily for to watch again, such is the punch in the gut impact the film has on you by its conclusion. The film is in my top ten of the decade for a few reasons. One, the ability to elicit such a reaction from me. Two, I want Darren Aronofsky (One of my favourite filmmakers) to join this list amongst my other favourite filmmakers Edgar Wright, Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan. Finally, for the theme song by Clint Mansell, which was perhaps the most used piece of music in movie trailers this decade.
To see the other films from 2000 that made my top fifty click the year above or here.
By Movie Parliament Prime Minister,
Michael Dalton
Michael Dalton
