My Favorite Films of the Decade

After posting my Favorite films of 2009 I realized that I didn't really have a definitive list of my favorite films for this past decade. I'm stopping short of stating that these are the best films of this time period. But I do know what I like. Thus this list represents the films which really made a memorable and profound impact on me.


Honorable Mentions: (In no particular order)


Munich (2005)
Kill Bill 1 & 2 (2003)
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Me and You And Everyone we Know (2005)
Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Match Point (2005)
Public Enemies (2009)
Rocky Balboa (2006)
Borat (2006)
Casino Royale (2006)
Rescue Dawn (2007)
Zodiac (2007)
Lost in Translation (2003)
Wall-E (2008)
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Avatar (2009)
Heist (2001)



My 25 Favorite films of the decade



25. Battle Royale (2000)


Captures the most unattractive side of humanity in such a fascinating and timely way.


24.Che (2008)


Ambitious, epic film and features an amazing performance by Benicio Del Toro.



23. Nothing But the Truth (2008)


Rod Lurie is one of my favorite artists working in film. Nothing But the Truth is a thought provoking, rollercoaster ride of drama.



22. Star Trek (2009)


BIG Star Trek fan. I think that pretty much sums it up.



21. V for Vendetta (2005)


Heartbreaking, profound, provocative and surprisingly inspiring.



20. The Bourne Identity (2002)


This film was so bad-ass it actually inspired me to lose weight and workout...for years.



19. No Country for Old Men (2007)


Coen Brothers masterpiece. Terrifying, chilling and thrilling.



18. I'm not Scared (2003)


An amazing, brutal, touching film that stays with the viewer...forever.


17. There Will Be Blood (2007)


Perhaps the finest performance of the decade by an actor. Kudos to Daniel Day Lewis.


16. Gangs of New York (2002)



Martin Scorsese plus Daniel Day Lewis in a period gangster film equals unequivocal awesomeness.



15. Batman Begins (2005)


Finally artists took the character of Batman seriously. Great action. But even better drama.



14. In The Mood For Love (2000)


The most romantic film of the decade.



13. Punch Drunk Love (2002)


The best romantic comedy of the decade.



12. Open Range (2003)


Old fashioned western with great action and affable protagonists.



11. OldBoy (2003)


Unspeakably disturbing and shocking. Brilliant in so many ways.



10. Children of Men (2006)


Unbelievably great story. Incredible visuals, with stunning, breathtaking production design.



9. Broken Flowers (2005)


Jim Jarmusch and Bill Murray at their hilarious, offbeat best.



8. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)


Perhaps the wittiest movie of the decade. Great mystery and action. Great dialogue and chemistry between Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr.



7. Once (2006)


Moving and sincere characters. Fantastic music and beautiful, simple story. Run out and get the soundtrack...now!



6. The New World (2005)


Awe-inspirig and poetic. Simply a masterpiece by Terrence Malick.



5. The Dark Knight (2008)


The best action film of the decade. Timely and thought-provoking script, which takes the action genre to unimaginable heights.



4. Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford (2007)


Beautiful and chilling. An amazing work of art with fantastic performances by the entire cast especially Casey Affleck and Brad Pitt.



3. Spartan (2004)


Has everything I could ever want in a David Mamet film. Great dialogue, twisting suspense. Memorable characters and fantastic action.



2. City of God (2002)


Amazing in EVERY way. Words can't describe how good it is. Must be seen to be believed.



And my favorite movie of the decade is.....











1. The Contender (2000)

Anyone who even vaguely knows me is aware of how much I LOVE this film. Moving and profound in so many ways. Brilliant performances by the ENTIRE cast especially Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman and Sam Elliott. Fantastic drama, memorable dialogue. The film is brutal and tense, yet also inspiring and touching. There are literally not enough adjectives for me to describe my appreciation for Rod Lurie's amazing film. Easily, easily my favorite film of the decade. In my top 5 favorite films of all time.