Before I delve into my very lengthy Top Ten list of movies from 2000 onwards I need to preface this post by saying I am plagued by the recency effect. My favourite movie is usually the one I have just seen so this was a major challenge for me. I’ll admit I had to google movies to jog my memory of ones I have loved. But there were of course staples that immediately upon being asked the question I knew would be on any movie list I ever make.
These are listed in no particular order:
I can’t quite call this the first rom-com ever made – but of my generation it is certainly a staple. The first time I can recall both women and men being able to enjoy this genre of movie, I have just as many male friends who laughed along with Andy’s ridiculous behavior as women who swooned over Ben’s southern drawl. This movie exaggerated both gender stereotypes and did it well. I love everything about how to lose a guy in 10 days. It makes me laugh, smile, and get lost in a love story that you know from the opening credits is going to work out in the end. The comedy is actually funny and the jokes well timed – not the same can be said for the slew of Matthew rom-com follow ups. And who doesn’t love a well played game of Bullshit?
I JUST saw this movie a few days ago, hence my recency effect playing a big part in this selection. However, I like to think that had this movie been made in 2000 it would still be on my list – for the sole reason that I can say I’ve never seen a movie like it before. From the beginning to the end, I didn’t know where it was going, what would be happening next, or how this fragile, scared woman would develop into the fearless, frightful black swan. The character development was unbelievable, and the acting was awe-inspiring. The dedication and effort put forth by Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis to turn themselves into ballerinas for this role was captivating, at no time seeing evidence of a lack of ballet technique. It is one of the best performances I have seen of an actress in a long time, definitely Oscar worthy.
Before I watched this movie I had two thoughts in my head:
a) It won best movie so I probably won’t like it
b) This amazing woman beat her ex-husband for best director, love it!
I am an absolute opponent of war movies. I don’t enjoy them. Ever. That was true, at least, until I saw the Hurt Locker. I had never watched a war movie made from this perspective of the soldiers. A movie that didn’t focus on the blood, guts and gore, and wasn’t filled with huge explosions and packed with action. The Hurt Locker could not be a better name to encapsulate what this movie was, and what it is that defines the soldiers who go to war and return – most a shell of the former person they were. The relationships between the characters was heartfelt and true; and while I know I can NEVER know what these men and women have been through – I felt like this was the first time a movie really showed me the damaging and very real impact war has on the people who are fighting for us.
Almost Famous encapsulates so many of the things that I love. It’s like pasta with sundried tomato pesto – all good. This movie was THE coming of age movie when I was growing up. It brought together the struggles of being a teen with an amazing soundtrack and one of Kate Hudson’s best roles. The term Band Aide has since become mainstream, and something I may even consider myself for one of Toronto’s best up and coming bands – The Maladies of Adam Stokes (full post about them to come). This movie was the first time that music really spoke to me and I could even say is from where my love for music blossomed.
Eternal Sunshine has one thing in common with Black Swan – which is that I have never seen another movie like it. The first time I saw this movie I thought, this is brilliant. They took the thought that most people have after a terrible breakup and made it reality. The ability to erase memories is something that is intriguing, interesting, and probably one day will actually be possible. This movie pushed boundaries and showed a different side of Jim Carrey as an actor. The one thing I really loved about this movie – was that I liked it the first time I watched it, I loved it the second time I watched it and now that I’ve seen it more times than I can count, I adore it. I love love – and this movie captures an all consuming love story, an unbearable heartbreak and how the human psyche deals with the happiness and pain of this most challenging of relationships.
6. LOTR trilogy
All I can say about the LOTR trilogy is that these movies captured the books EXACTLY. Never have I seen a movie, let alone three movies – that have so accurately in every detail captured the essence of a novel. It is difficult, if not nearly impossible to create a film that is better than the novel it is inspired by – and the LOTR trilogy is the closest I have ever seen come to bettering the novels.
The Life of David Gale is not only one of my favourite movies of the past ten years, but it is one of my favourite movies period. This movie is devastating, infuriating, stressful, intelligent, and edge of your seat. Kevin Spacey, Laura Linney, and Kate Winslet were a perfect trio of amazing actors that brought this incredible story to life. While I watched this movie I felt like I was in it, living it with the characters. It can make you change your opinion on a very real, very controversial issue – or at least question your beliefs.
Paranormal Activity is unlike any of the other movies on this list for a number of reasons. First, it is a scary movie. And while I like to think of myself as quite a scary movie enthusiast, there are very few that would ever actually make it on a best movies ever made list. Second, it was incredibly low budget. Again, this is often a hindrance to making it on a best ever list. Despite these two factors, here it is – on my list. I chose this movie because it truly had an impact on me. Not only did it scare me so thoroughly that I didn’t sleep for MONTHS, but it actually changed my mind frame. I went into this movie a disbeliever in ghosts or anything paranormal – and I am permanently changed and sincerely convinced that there is a possibility of the existence of something beyond us. Well I will probably never really know; no longer can I hear a ghost story and sleep through the night.
No explanation needed on this one. If you haven't seen it - then you need to. If you have, then you know exactly why this is on the list. It is the best documentary I have ever seen. I have donated a lot of money I don't have to support this cause because it affected me like no movie I've seen before. I felt like an asshole for having ever swam with dolphins, going to an aquarium or a zoo - and never will I do those things again. We are ignorant to how poorly animals are treated by humans, and this movie highlights that so directly that it is scary, sad and absolutely eye opening. If you would like to donate to The Cove, please click the link below:
10. The Hangover
That's it - I would love your comments on my list and/or your list, I watch a movie everyday and I'm always looking for suggestions. Thanks for reading!
