My Favourite Movies of 2000-2009 Part 1: The Runners-Up

As far as I can tell, I have seen 376 movies that were released in the decade spanning 2000-2009. That is a lot of movies. While it is far from being all of the movies of the decade, I think it is a wide-enough base for me to choose from that I feel comfortable making a list of my favourite films from the decade. The obvious disclaimer is that this is not a definitive best-of list, for two reasons. First, this is entirely subjective. You might hate some of my favourites, I might hate some of yours. Definitive is impossible. Secondly, I didn't see every film. I may not have seen your favourites.

Because I've spent all year on this list, I wanted to spread it out a bit. So here is Part 1: The Runners-up. These are movies that I really liked, but they didn't quite crack the top 15 for whatever reason (in some cases, just because it had been so long since I watched them that I feared my memory might be inaccurate). Really, the distinction between the Runners-up and the Top 15 is pretty arbitrary, as is the number 15 for that matter. Alright, here we go, in alphabetical order:

4 Luni, 3 Saptamani si 2 Zile - Cristian Mungiu
(4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days)

This Romanian film about obtaining an illegal abortion is very difficult to watch. It is really raw, and contains something in it to offend everyone. But this heartbreaking movie is probably the best Realist movie of the decade.

Los Abrazos Rotos - Pedro Almodovar
(Broken Embraces)

I love Almodovar's movies because, like Tarantino's movies, they are almost self-aware of the fact that they are movies. Almodovar just loves classic Hollywood so much, and it permeates this entire film. The only problem is that he just can't do a good ending. He's also in love with Penelope Cruz, and she is sensational in this movie, as always.

About Schmidt - Alexander Payne

In my opinion, this is one of the most underrated films of the decade. I also feel that this is one of Jack Nicholson's greatest performances. I've read a lot of books recently about growing old, but there haven't been a lot of movies made about it. This movie is one of them, and it's really great. I must warn you, though, the nudity in this film is not for the faint of heart. ;)

American Splendor - Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini

This is a joyful movie about being miserable, a celebration of mediocrity and depression. Part documentary about the making of the comic, part re-enactment of the making of the comic, part re-enactment of the comic itself, this movie is unlike anything else. Paul Giamatti must be frustrated knowing that he'll probably never get such a perfect role again.

Amores Perros - Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

Okay, name a movie with Gael Garcia Bernal in it, and I loved it. This is one of those Magnolia-style interweaving stories movies (Inarritu also directed Babel), and it's superbly done.




Un Conte de Noel - Arnaud Desplechin
(A Christmas Tale)

There were several ensemble movies made in France about family reunions this decade, but this one is the standout. The list of great actors in this film is too long for this space, but Catherine Deneuve and Mathieu Amalric (one of my favourite actors of the decade) are the standouts.

Etre et Avoire - Nicolas Philibert
(To Be and To Have)

This documentary contains very little interference by the director. The teacher and his students in this one-room schoolhouse in rural France are the stars of this really cute, really touching movie. Every teacher or aspiring teacher should see this film.


Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain - Jean-Pierre Jeunet
(Amelie)

This is a fun, quirky movie about a psychopath. Seriously, if Amelie was a man, she'd be arrested. That said, how could anyone not thoroughly enjoy watching this very unique movie? I missed out on this one when it was hugely popular, so it was with a bit of trepidation that I finally saw the movie I knew a lot of people loved. It's hard not to be affected by something like that. But I loved it, too.



Fantastic Mr. Fox - Wes Anderson

I enjoy Wes Anderson movies a lot. I don't get sick of the same themes and style, not one bit. But I was still surprised by how good this movie was. It was a labour of love for Anderson (pictured), and I hope he's proud of the finished product. Oh, and 3 Beach Boys songs in one movie always gets a thumbs-up from me.

Les Glaneurs et la Glaneuse - Agnes Varda
(The Gleaners and I)

This is a brilliant documentary. Varda (pictured) is a kind of strange person, and her personality permeates this movie. She grabs the theme and runs with it in every direction imaginable, and touches on something at the core of what it means to be human. It's also a very political movie, but you barely even notice.


In Bruges - Martin McDonagh

This movie is really, really funny. I wouldn't have thought jokes about racist midgets and hating medieval architecture could ever be so funny, nor would I have thought I'd ever include a movie with Colin Farrell in this list. But they are, and here it is.






The Incredibles - Brad Bird

Pixar made a lot of really great movies this decade, and this was one of my favourites. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish.




El Laberinto del Fauno - Guillermo del Toro
(Pan's Labyrinth)

This is an extremely violent, gory children's movie for adults. Del Toro does such a fabulous job of mixing beautiful fantasy and harsh reality in this film that the shifts in tone (especially lighting) are as necessary for the audience as for the girl.


Lat den Ratte Komma In - Tomas Alfredson
(Let the Right One In)

I reviewed the Hollywood remake in this blog, and concluded that I preferred the original. I am no horror movie fan, but this one is just so good. Chilling and horrifying, of course, but so good.


Das Leben der Anderen - Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
(The Lives of Others)

At first I was shocked that Pan's Labyrinth lost the Foreign Film Oscar, but then I saw this film. It's a voyeuristic film set in East Berlin, with one of the best endings of the decade.


Little Miss Sunshine - Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris

This movie about a dysfunctional family on a road trip to a beauty pagaent is completely ridiculous. It is definitely one of the funniest movies of the decade. What gets it on to this list, though, is its emotional power and great acting. Abigail Breslin was nominated and Alan Arkin won an Oscar, but I think Paul Dano should've been nominated, too.


Moartea Domnului Lazarescu - Cristi Puiu
(The Death of Mr. Lazarescu)

Another great Romanian film dealing with the shortcomings of the healthcare system. This one, however, is hilarious (in a black humour sort of way).


My Winnipeg - Guy Maddin

Guy Maddin, I think I can fairly say, is the most unique director out there right now. Part of this film's appeal is that I grew up just outside Winnipeg, but mostly it's just how strange and wonderful this movie is.



Paranoid Park - Gus Van Sant

A lot of people really liked Gus Van Sant's Elephant, but for me, Paranoid Park captures adolescence in this decade far more poignantly. My favourite skateboarding movie of all time.





The Squid and the Whale - Noah Baumbach

Dysfunctional families can make for some very interesting movies. This is a very personal film for Baumbach, and his feelings towards his father are not hidden. This film is full of great acting, particularly from Jesse Eisenberg, Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney.



Synecdoche, New York - Charlie Kaufman

Kaufman, for me, is the only screenwriter whose every movie becomes a must-see. This is his mind-blowing directorial debut.




There Will Be Blood - P.T. Anderson

I know that for a lot of people this one would be in the Top 15, if not in competition for the top spot on that list. While I really enjoyed it and it will be winning some of my "Oscars", I've never been able to connect with it as much as the films that are in my Top 15. Daniel Day-Lewis gives one of the best acting performances of all time.


Das Weisse Band - Michael Haneke
(The White Ribbon)

Now this is a disturbing movie. All of Haneke's best qualities (as frustrating as they may be) converge in this film about, arguably, the origins of the Nazis.


Wendy and Lucy - Kelly Reichardt

Reichardt makes very soft-spoken, understated movies that capture an incredible amount of emotion. I also enjoyed Old Joy a lot, but Wendy and Lucy, in spite of the fact that I'm not a dog person, is really amazing. Michelle Williams is really one of the best actresses out there right now.






The Wrestler - Darren Aronofsky

Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei give this movie everything they have in depicting two people who perform with their bodies. It is truly heartbreaking.




Y Tu Mama Tambien - Alfonso Cuaron

This is a movie about two young men discovering their sexual identity while out on a road trip. Gael Garcia Bernal is awesome, as usual.