84 replies to this topic

[The Shark]

9) Crash

What the?

I'd probably list that under my least favourites.

Edited by The Shark, 12 August 2009 - 12:34 PM.

[The Ghost Who Walks]

From the top of my head, the movies from this decade that just stays with me (there could be loads of others on a list like this, but heck):

The Fountain
Children of Men
Watchmen
Zodiac
Casino Royale
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Sin City
The Machinist
Control
A History of Violence

I still have quite a few new DVDs I haven't gotten around to watch, so this list might change later on.

Overally, I think it's been a pretty good decade for movies. Heaps of crap is still made, but there's a lot of gold in-between. Thinking of it, that's likely the way it'll always be...

Edited by The Ghost Who Walks, 12 August 2009 - 02:00 PM.

[Judo chop]

I mean, yer BOURNE ULTIMATUMs, yer CASINO ROYALEs, yer DARK KNIGHTs, yer ROCKY BALBOAS.... love 'em to bits as I do, I'd never include them in the ranks of true greatness.

But I think that’s the topic of the thread. Your Top 10, not The Best 10. Dunno. To me, that means your ‘favorites’. (There’s that word again.) ie. “Which 10 films of this millennium would you keep if you could only keep 10?”

I certainly haven’t watched ROCKY BALBOA 6 times because it’s bad.

Why so shocked?

My memory of it is not a fond one. I remember almost nothing about it, and that was the case about 24 hours after seeing the film. What I do remember is a very peculiar (I’m being kind with my choice of words here) tangent which takes the story to the Galapagos islands.

I do recall that it creates a good atmosphere, particularly under the ship’s deck. But its story I thought it was totally unmemorable. And, again, the Galapagos sequence felt horribly tacked on. (An image of Bond and Natalya on the beach comes to mind.)

BUT. I was a different kind of movie-watcher back then, that’s for sure. So who knows…

[Loomis]

I mean, yer BOURNE ULTIMATUMs, yer CASINO ROYALEs, yer DARK KNIGHTs, yer ROCKY BALBOAS.... love 'em to bits as I do, I'd never include them in the ranks of true greatness.

But I think that’s the topic of the thread. Your Top 10, not The Best 10. Dunno. To me, that means your ‘favorites’.

Perhaps, but you could interpret it either way. Given that Harmsway didn't pick the likes of CASINO ROYALE and THE DARK KNIGHT, I interpreted his list as a "best" list rather than a "favourites" list and decided to follow suit.

“Which 10 films of this millennium would you keep if you could only keep 10?”

Well, if that's the question then probably (in alphabetical order):

BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN
THE BOURNE IDENTITY
THE BOURNE SUPREMACY
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
BRUNO
CASINO ROYALE
THE DARK KNIGHT
RAMBO
ROCKY BALBOA
ROLLERBALL

Those are the flicks of this century I've probably returned to the most.

[Judo chop]

Except that your list goes to eleven, Nigel.

[Loomis]

Count again, Mr St. Hubbins.

[Judo chop]

Indeed...

It is a cozy ten films you've listed. <puff!>

My bad. I probably should've stopped to wonder what this KAZAKHSTAN film you were so impressed with was.

[Harmsway]

My memory of it is not a fond one. I remember almost nothing about it, and that was the case about 24 hours after seeing the film. What I do remember is a very peculiar (I’m being kind with my choice of words here) tangent which takes the story to the Galapagos islands.

I do recall that it creates a good atmosphere, particularly under the ship’s deck. But its story I thought it was totally unmemorable. And, again, the Galapagos sequence felt horribly tacked on. (An image of Bond and Natalya on the beach comes to mind.)

BUT. I was a different kind of movie-watcher back then, that’s for sure. So who knows…

MASTER AND COMMANDER is the most intelligent and exquisitely constructed cinematic entertainment to come out of the last decade, and was deeply unappreciated during its original release. That's probably because it's something of a subdued film, and subdued films don't tend to make blockbusters. Watching it, I don't get the energy rush I get from some of the decade's other epics. But MASTER AND COMMANDER is still excellent, entirely achieving the task it sets out for itself, and then some.

You have to understand that MASTER AND COMMANDER is not a plot-driven tale. It's not at all about whether the ship actually succeeds at its given mission or not, or the naval battles. It's a character-driven tale, and is about the friendship that exists in the midst of all that is going on. It's the care with which it handles its characters that makes it so wonderful, and that's why the Galapagos "tangent" makes all the sense in the world. In fact, it's probably the best sequence in the film, both for the beauty it offers, and how it reveals the characters and their relationships to one another.

Not that MASTER AND COMMANDER isn't epic. It very much is, and when it goes for naval action, it does it oh-so-right. But as Roger Ebert said, MASTER AND COMMANDER "achieves epic without losing sight of the human." Yes, MASTER AND COMMANDER is a true classic, whether people recognize that or not, and the kind of film that seems all the more appealing as our blockbusters seem to be getting increasingly louder and dumber.

[The Ghost Who Walks]

I've seen Master and Commander twice, and thought it was a great movie. I really, really hope the sequel Russel Crowe recently talked about will happen, I'd be first in line to see it. Peter Weir could be the most underrated "mainstream" director in the world, he certainly doesn't seem to get the acclaim he deserves.

[Judo chop]

Yes, MASTER AND COMMANDER is a true classic

Well, then. I guess I'll have to watch it again, this time hopefully with wiser eyes and mind.

[Mr. Blofeld]

No love for In Bruges, anyone? It's got three cast members from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in it, and they each deliver performances leagues beyond what they offered in Goblet of Fire (I was especially impressed with Fiennes' performance).

[HildebrandRarity]

Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World is a movie I saw at the theatre and bought on dvd from the bargain basement section...but I don't return to it much...seen it two times since release.

It's a good movie but it can be a touch of a snoozer...certainly better than Pirates Of The Carribean, though.

[The Ghost Who Walks]

No love for In Bruges, anyone? It's got three cast members from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in it, and they each deliver performances leagues beyond what they offered in Goblet of Fire (I was especially impressed with Fiennes' performance).

I don't think anybody can possibly give their best performances in Harry Potter films.

Loved In Bruges,, and was surprised by how dark it was (it was marketed as a typical action comedy, as I seem to recall).

[Mr. Blofeld]

No love for In Bruges, anyone? It's got three cast members from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in it, and they each deliver performances leagues beyond what they offered in Goblet of Fire (I was especially impressed with Fiennes' performance).

I don't think anybody can possibly give their best performances in Harry Potter films.

Loved In Bruges, and was surprised by how dark it was (it was marketed as a typical action comedy, as I seem to recall).

It was; I caught the trailer for it before There Will Be Blood a few years back.

Colin Farrell's performance is stand-out in this film, but I was really impressed by Jordan Prentice's performance (Jimmy the dwarf) in particular, out of the supporting cast.

[Tarl_Cabot]

I mean, yer BOURNE ULTIMATUMs, yer CASINO ROYALEs, yer DARK KNIGHTs, yer ROCKY BALBOAS.... love 'em to bits as I do, I'd never include them in the ranks of true greatness.

But I think that’s the topic of the thread. Your Top 10, not The Best 10. Dunno. To me, that means your ‘favorites’.

Perhaps, but you could interpret it either way. Given that Harmsway didn't pick the likes of CASINO ROYALE and THE DARK KNIGHT, I interpreted his list as a "best" list rather than a "favourites" list and decided to follow suit.

“Which 10 films of this millennium would you keep if you could only keep 10?”

Well, if that's the question then probably (in alphabetical order):

BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN
THE BOURNE IDENTITY
THE BOURNE SUPREMACY
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
BRUNO
CASINO ROYALE
THE DARK KNIGHT
RAMBO
ROCKY BALBOA
ROLLERBALL

Those are the flicks of this century I've probably returned to the most.

Rollerball ? No Kill Bill,Miami Vice,Collateral,Quantum Of Solace? Rollerball?? The ty remake? wow

Shocking...positively shocking™.

[DaveBond21]

My memory of it is not a fond one. I remember almost nothing about it, and that was the case about 24 hours after seeing the film. What I do remember is a very peculiar (I’m being kind with my choice of words here) tangent which takes the story to the Galapagos islands.

I do recall that it creates a good atmosphere, particularly under the ship’s deck. But its story I thought it was totally unmemorable. And, again, the Galapagos sequence felt horribly tacked on. (An image of Bond and Natalya on the beach comes to mind.)

BUT. I was a different kind of movie-watcher back then, that’s for sure. So who knows…

MASTER AND COMMANDER is the most intelligent and exquisitely constructed cinematic entertainment to come out of the last decade, and was deeply unappreciated during its original release. That's probably because it's something of a subdued film, and subdued films don't tend to make blockbusters. Watching it, I don't get the energy rush I get from some of the decade's other epics. But MASTER AND COMMANDER is still excellent, entirely achieving the task it sets out for itself, and then some.

You have to understand that MASTER AND COMMANDER is not a plot-driven tale. It's not at all about whether the ship actually succeeds at its given mission or not, or the naval battles. It's a character-driven tale, and is about the friendship that exists in the midst of all that is going on. It's the care with which it handles its characters that makes it so wonderful, and that's why the Galapagos "tangent" makes all the sense in the world. In fact, it's probably the best sequence in the film, both for the beauty it offers, and how it reveals the characters and their relationships to one another.

Not that MASTER AND COMMANDER isn't epic. It very much is, and when it goes for naval action, it does it oh-so-right. But as Roger Ebert said, MASTER AND COMMANDER "achieves epic without losing sight of the human." Yes, MASTER AND COMMANDER is a true classic, whether people recognize that or not, and the kind of film that seems all the more appealing as our blockbusters seem to be getting increasingly louder and dumber.

I really enjoyed MASTER AND COMMANDER. Russell Crowe said in an interview in Australia, shortly before its release that it was "a movie to make Englishmen puff out their chests with pride".

[Aris007]

Yes, MASTER AND COMMANDER is a true classic

It's a really good film, but I wouldn't go that far! I've seen it twice and I wasn't that impressed!

...certainly better than Pirates Of The Carribean, though.

Certainly!

[HildebrandRarity]

oops. Edit

[HildebrandRarity]

LAY3R CAKE!

I love Layer Cake. I love Daniel Craig, Michael Gambon and the hot, sleazy Sienna Miller in it! I love the wild and wierd character names in the film. I love that shot of DC in his ninja-style mask as he contemplates his imminent assassination of that nasty old prick in the man's own back garden!



For me, that moment could have been James Bond as a pre 00 on the brink of engaging in his first of two kills, this the 'cleaner' one coming first.

I'd vote this movie the non-Bond movie for 007 fans for this decade [the other being The Dreamers] given its historic relevence to the series, specifically the casting of one of the better James Bond actors.

So, I will include it with my list of 9 above to make an even 10!

[Harmsway]

Yes, MASTER AND COMMANDER is a true classic

It's a really good film, but I wouldn't go that far! I've seen it twice and I wasn't that impressed!

I think a great part of appreciating MASTER AND COMMANDER is attention--and appetite--for detail. One of the things that truly impresses in MASTER AND COMMANDER is the extent to which it manages to deftly weave in historical detail after historical detail, while never distracting from the source. In this respect, MASTER AND COMMANDER is an incredibly intricate film, and it adds a realism and a weight to the happenings that few other films manage.

Naturally, if that were all the film had going for it, it would just be a lifeless historical treatise. But everything else is also very well-handled, from the script to the direction to the performances. As I've said a few times, I think MASTER AND COMMANDER is practically flawless.

[HildebrandRarity]

If you think boring is not a flaw, then sure.

2001, your favourite movie, is a very boring film at times. So I can see why you rate M&C:TFSOTW ... you have certain tastes, as we all do. One man's flawless can be another man's yawner. Each to their own, naturally.

Still, it's important to have differing opinions and if you can back up your views (as you have done), then that's even better.

Cheers.

[Loomis]

LAY3R CAKE!

I love Layer Cake. I love Daniel Craig, Michael Gambon and the hot, sleazy Sienna Miller in it! I love the wild and wierd character names in the film. I love that shot of DC in his ninja-style mask as he contemplates his imminent assassination of that nasty old prick in the man's own back garden!



For me, that moment could have been James Bond as a pre 00 on the brink of engaging in his first of two kills, this the 'cleaner' one coming first.

I'd vote this movie the non-Bond movie for 007 fans for this decade [the other being The Dreamers] given its historic relevence to the series, specifically the casting of one of the better James Bond actors.

So, I will include it in my list of 9 above to make an even 10!

THE DREAMERS is a very good film.

LAYER CAKE, however, is not. It's let down chiefly by a poor script.

However, it's stylishly directed and is certainly required viewing for Bond fans. Craig is probably even cooler than he is in CASINO ROYALE (which is saying something).

I watched LAYER CAKE a few months before Craig was announced as Bond. As soon as I saw him strolling cockily into the country club at the beginning of the film, I knew that he was the absolutely perfect choice for 007.

[HildebrandRarity]

I share your view, in a way. Craig is cooler in Q0S than he is in CR but he's even cooler still in Lay3r Cake!

I saw it the day after his announcement in October, 2005 and within minutes I could see why they wanted him for the role. Similarlay so with Eva Green in The Dreamers.

Lay3r Cake/The Dreamers combo is a must have for James Bond fans. These two dvd's ought to be flanked by Die Another Day and Casino Royale in one's 007 section on one's movie collection case/shelf!

For me, the four year gap is filled nicely by these two films.

[Mr. Blofeld]

I share your view, in a way. Craig is cooler in Q0S than he is in CR but he's even cooler still in Lay3r Cake!

I saw it the day after his announcement in October, 2005 and within minutes I could see why they wanted him for the role. Similarlay so with Eva Green in The Dreamers.

Lay3r Cake/The Dreamers combo is a must have for James Bond fans. These two dvd's ought to be flanked by Die Another Day and Casino Royale in one's 007 section on one's movie collection case/shelf!

For me, the four year gap is filled nicely by these two films.

...except that The Dreamers is a quite bizarre film; I watched it on IFC a few months back, and could not understand why everyone was acting as though they suffered from severe psychosis. The ending was a letdown, too.

[Harmsway]

If you think boring is not a flaw, then sure.

Well, I don't think it is boring. If someone finds MASTER AND COMMANDER boring, very well, but I'd argue that in this instance, it's probably more his or her fault than it is the film's fault.

I'd also like to point out that MASTER AND COMMANDER isn't, really, one of my favorite films (neither, for that matter, is GOSFORD PARK, MAN ON WIRE, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, RUSSIAN ARK, or TOKYO GODFATHERS). There are countless other films from the past decade I'd rather take off the shelf and watch. But I still think that MASTER AND COMMANDER is a very notable cinematic achievement.

[HildebrandRarity]

NO!

M&C:TFSOTW is not boring as a whole or in totality...but there are bits in there which are too slow for my tastes and can be considered boring enough to not make it 'flawless'. That's what I meant to say.

It's all opinion, of course.

[jrcjohnny99]

9) Crash

What the?

I'd probably list that under my least favourites.

Really????
I had "Crash" in my top 10.
You think that doesn't deserve to be there but you have no problem with "Walk Hard", "Borat" or "Rollerball" that are on other peoples lists????

Given that 'Crash" was an incredibly well written and well acted piece, I'm interested to hear why you think it's so bad...

[I never miss]

In no particular order:

GLADIATOR
AMERICAN GANGSTER
THE DEPARTED
CASINO ROYALE
RATATOUILLE
THE BOURNE SUPREMACY
SPIDER-MAN
THE TAILOR OF PANAMA
MUNICH
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE


For the record, I didn't like Crash either. I think Haggis is a talented writer, but I just found the film rather heavy-handed and preachy. A friend of mind cites it as his favourite film - kinda hard for me to understand.

Edited by I never miss, 13 August 2009 - 08:41 PM.

[Loomis]

For the record, I didn't like Crash either. I think Haggis is a talented writer, but I just found the film rather heavy-handed and preachy.

Agreed. It's also incredibly boring.

[Vauxhall]

My initial attempt at a shortlist ran to thirty movies so I have curtailed it somewhat. In my current ten, I’ve tried to list what I consider some of the “best” movies of the decade to have been. Also, through general laziness, I’ve had to include a couple of honorary mentions of some favourites that I recognise as not necessarily being up to the standards of the others.

In chronological order:

AMELIE (2001)
HOTEL RWANDA (2004)
MILLION DOLLAR BABY (2004)
MUNICH (2005)
THE PRESTIGE (2006)
ZODIAC (2007)
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY (2007)
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (2007)
IN BRUGES (2008)
WALL•E (2008)

Honorary Mentions: OCEAN’S ELEVEN (2001), CASINO ROYALE (2006), ONCE (2006), THE DARK KNIGHT (2008), THE WRESTLER (2008)