20 Best movies of the last decade
These are my top 20 favorite films of the last decade. I defined the last decade as 2000-2009. I also cheated a little bit by counting the Lord of the Rings movies and Kill Bill movies as one film. This list is also not in perfect order. Instead, I ranked them in a general order (i.e. the top 5 films are better than films 6-10, etc.)
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- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsDaniel Day-LewisPaul DanoCiarán HindsA story of family, religion, hatred, oil and madness, focusing on a turn-of-the-century prospector in the early days of the business.Watching Daniel Day Lewis's descent into madness was surreal. Probably the best performance from an American actor of the decade, and the best American period picture.
- DirectorFlorian Henckel von DonnersmarckStarsUlrich MüheMartina GedeckSebastian KochIn 1984 East Berlin, an agent of the secret police conducting surveillance on a writer and his lover finds himself becoming increasingly absorbed by their lives.Touching and thought provoking without being overly manipulative or syrupy.
- DirectorOliver HirschbiegelStarsBruno GanzAlexandra Maria LaraUlrich MatthesTraudl Junge, the final secretary for Adolf Hitler, tells of the Nazi dictator's final days in his Berlin bunker at the end of WWII.The most realistic and accurate World War II movie I have ever seen. It feels like it is just giving you the facts. Of course, Bruno Ganz gave one of the best performances I have ever seen. I don't think I have ever seen a historic figure come to life like that since Denzel Washington's Malcolm X performance.
- DirectorFernando MeirellesKátia LundStarsAlexandre RodriguesLeandro FirminoMatheus NachtergaeleIn the slums of Rio, two kids' paths diverge as one struggles to become a photographer and the other a kingpin.Probably the best crime picture since Goodfellas.
- DirectorAndrew StantonStarsBen BurttElissa KnightJeff GarlinIn the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.The best American animated picture of the decade. Sweet, funny, and with a good message to boot.
- DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsIvana BaqueroAriadna GilSergi LópezIn the Falangist Spain of 1944, the bookish young stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer escapes into an eerie but captivating fantasy world.Absorbing fantasy with production design that rivals Tim Burton's movies, but it exceeds Burton in the plot department. Great cast and performances all around.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsTommy Lee JonesJavier BardemJosh BrolinViolence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and over two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.One of the most well crafted thrillers I've ever seen. Not much of a fan of Tommy Lee Jones' long speeches at the end though. It would have been higher were it not for this.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleHeath LedgerAaron EckhartWhen the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice.Best Batman movie and the best Joker so far. Transcends the comic book genre to become a legitimate crime drama.
- DirectorSofia CoppolaStarsBill MurrayScarlett JohanssonGiovanni RibisiA faded movie star and a neglected young woman form an unlikely bond after crossing paths in Tokyo.Bill Murray should have won the Oscar!
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsGuy PearceCarrie-Anne MossJoe PantolianoA man with short-term memory loss attempts to track down his wife's murderer.Gets more interesting with each viewing
- DirectorMel GibsonStarsGerardo TaracenaRaoul Max TrujilloDalia HernándezAs the Mayan kingdom faces its decline, a young man is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression.The most suspenseful film I saw in the last ten years as well as an interesting look at the collapse of civilizations.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenOrlando BloomA meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.My favorite of the trilogy because the entire cast is together. I also like the small scale battles better than the CGI fests of ROTK. In the interests of space just consider this the entry for the other two films as well.
- DirectorStephen FrearsStarsHelen MirrenMichael SheenJames CromwellAfter the death of Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth II struggles with her reaction to a sequence of events nobody could have predicted.One of the better biopics I've seen
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsAdrien BrodyThomas KretschmannFrank FinlayDuring WWII, acclaimed Polish musician Wladyslaw faces various struggles as he loses contact with his family. As the situation worsens, he hides in the ruins of Warsaw in order to survive.My favorite holocaust film. I don't know what I would have done in this guy's situation. Would I have stayed with my family or ran? I hope I don't have to make that decision.
- DirectorPete DocterBob PetersonStarsEdward AsnerJordan NagaiJohn Ratzenberger78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway.Wonderful film
- DirectorBrad BirdStarsCraig T. NelsonSamuel L. JacksonHolly HunterWhile trying to lead a quiet suburban life, a family of undercover superheroes are forced into action to save the world.Better than most of the comic book films out there now
- DirectorAng LeeStarsChow Yun-FatMichelle YeohZiyi ZhangA young Chinese warrior steals a sword from a famed swordsman and then escapes into a world of romantic adventure with a mysterious man in the frontier of the nation.My favorite Ang Lee movie.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsUma ThurmanDavid CarradineDaryl HannahAfter awakening from a four-year coma, a former assassin wreaks vengeance on the team of assassins who betrayed her.I just love this movie. In the interest of space and time just consider this one the entry for Kill Bill Vol. 2 as well.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsDaveigh ChaseSuzanne PleshetteMiyu IrinoDuring her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.I can't really say anything more about this film. It's magical
- DirectorGreg MottolaStarsMichael CeraJonah HillChristopher Mintz-PlasseTwo co-dependent high school seniors are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry.OK, I admit I'm really stretching ranking this in the top 20 of the decade, but it's so damn funny