The Ten Best Movies of the Decade: The Aughts

We aren't thinking about it like we did ten years ago, but we are within six months of the end of the decade. In 1999 all we heard was how the decade was ending, and we were treated to all kinds of retrospectives on the decade. Sure, it was amplified by the fact that it was also the end of the century, but here we are, almost to August of 2009, and there is very little out there looking back at the decade that was.

As such, I've decided to take a look back at the decade, here and there, and see what I thought of various aspects of the decade. Following up on Bill Simmons' proclamation that "Almost Famous" was the best movie of the decade, I decided I would start by looking at the ten best movies of the aughts. This is a tough topic, because not all movies which won awards or were huge box office successes were necessarily the best movies of the decade. Still, with no further delay, here is my take on the decade's best movies.

10. Gran Torino - 2008

The further away from this movie I get, the more confused I am by its lack of support from the Academy. On paper this movie is everything the Academy loves: Clint Eastwood, a good script, dynamic characters ... I swear that this is the best Eastwood movie I've seen out of all his recent works. "Mystic River" was awful, yet it managed to get all kinds of nominations, leading to Sean Penn stealing the Best Actor Oscar from the much more deserving Bill Murray. "Million Dollar Baby" wasn't bad, but "Torino" was much better. In a way I'm glad this movie didn't get the acclaim because it further solidifies my view that the Academy doesn't really know anything. Sometimes they get one right, and other times they miss by a wide margin. "Torino" was one of the best movies of 2008, and was certainly better than the eventual Best Picture winner, "Slumdog Millionaire" (which, as a side note, I also enjoyed).

9. The 40 Year Old Virgin - 2005

There were a number of comedies in the aughts which were worth the price of admission: "Wedding Crashers," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," and "The Hangover" all jump to mind. But no other comedy just blew people away like this one. "Virgin" launched Steve Carell to another level, made Judd Apatow a house hold name, and delivered a ton of memorable quotes, moments, and laughs. This is the movie that started it all, as far as aught comedy has gone.

8. Star Trek - 2009

Among the most anticipated movies of the decade, J.J. Abrams and company delivered a knockout win with this epic reinterpretation of Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi classic. It seems that every year there is a movie that redefines what can be done with CGI, but this movie took it to another level. Some of the shots were mind blowing: the Enterprise jumping out of warp into a field full of other ships which had been decimated; the Enterprise lifting out of the mists of Saturn's moon Titan, as the clouds move around it; the Enterprise jumping out of warp and firing at the enemy ship. The role of Spock in present time, played by Zachary Quinto (of "Heroes" fame), was a total success. Leonard Nimoy's reprisal of his Spock role solidified the film, and allowed for a number of goose bump inducing moments which would have otherwise been impossible. Chris Pine was great as Kirk, and Karl Urban rocked as "Bones." It is the rare movie that exceeds expectations, but this film did. Beyond that, I would argue that this film was the best reinterpretation we've seen, even better than "Batman Begins." What Abrams managed to do is pay homage to the past, while creating an alternate universe in which to do whatever he wants free of the past. Just a great film all the way around.

7. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - 2002

I battled over whether to put each of the LOTR movies in individually, or to simply do what I normally do, consider them one mega-movie, and place them in one spot. I eventually settled on giving each its individual due, mostly because of the intricacies in each film which make them stand alone successes. First of all, it's always worth remembering that each of the three movies was nominated for Best Picture, and the "Two Towers" certainly lost to a weak film ("Chicago?!?!" Really?!?!?!?). This film did a great job of bridging the first two installments, and branched the more upbeat, happy feeling of "Fellowship" with the sense of doom presented early in "King." The battle scene at Helm's Deep was the most amazing CG battle I'd seen (until one year later), and the score and visual shots were top notch.


6. Garden State - 2004

Some people won't like this movie at all, and many people seem to have a Zach Braff hatred that I don't understand, but I will always be blown away by the fact that Braff wrote, directed, and starred in this film. "Garden State" is, at the end of the day, a coming of age tale with an amazing sound track and some powerful moments. Natalie Portman delivers an amazing performance, reeling you in and selling you fully on her character. Braff's various friends, played by a number of "that guy" actors including Peter Sarsgaard, each bring a unique and important lesson to the film. "Garden State" is further down this list than it would have been even a few years ago, but it'll hold over time because it fits the time period so well. For anyone who has come of age in the aughts there is a sense of comfort in this movie, as well as one of reality.


5. V For Vendetta - 2005

Now we are into the heavy hitters, and "Vendetta" is the rare movie that actually improves with each viewing. A political drama of sorts, built in the future setting of England, it goes without saying that anyone who lived through the eight years of Dubya should be able to appreciate this movie. Another dynamic performance by Natalie Portman is found in this one, but the movie is carried to greatness by the masked man whose face we never see, V. Played by Hugo Weaving, V is a freedom fighter in his own mind, and a terrorist vigilante in the mind of the totalitarian government that is in control. This movie, if you've never seen it, can give you goosebumps with its eerie similarity to some Bush era actions, and it can give you an appreciation for the strength of this country. As General Hummel would say, once upon a time Jefferson, Adams and Franklin were considered to be traitors, and were thought to be supported by domestic terrorists. They became Patriots. History is always written by the victors, but "Vendetta" shares another view on the concept.

4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - 2001

I had never read any of the LOTR books before I got drug to the theater to see the first movie. From the opening scene this movie grabbed you. It gave you some of the most enjoyable plot development ever, and it never seemed to drag even as it went near the three hour mark. This movie is more upbeat than the following two, and it delights in showing the intricacies of the life of a hobbit, as well as developing the strong bonds of friendship which make the next two movies as powerful as they are. Again, with memorable moments, spectacular cinematography, and a great score, this movie is a complete package.

3. The Departed - 2006

This movie was loaded with talent, and extremely hyped, but it managed to deliver. After a number of disappointments this was the movie that finally won Martin Scorsese his Academy Award for Best Director. The two main leads, DiCapprio and Damon, both delivered stand-out performances, but the movie is carried by the secondary actors, including Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen and Alec Baldwin. Even with Jack Nicholson's uneven performance (it seems a bit over the top, and almost as if Jack was just mailing it in) this movie delivered the goods.

2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - 2003

The greatest movie I will ever see. That was my thoughts leaving the theater in 2003, after the midnight showing of "King" on opening night. Those were my thoughts for each of the concurrent years. And yet, somehow, it only comes in number two on this list. But before I get to the film that unseated this masterpiece, let's appreciate ROTK for what it was. Peter King has received a great deal of criticism from Christopher Tolkien (LOTR author J.R.R. Tolkien's son) for his interpretation of the books. Christopher is dead wrong. Peter King's work in this series was amazing, and this film was his masterpiece. If you watch all three you aren't human if you don't get caught up in the character development. The seeds, planted in "Fellowship" and nurtured in "Towers" bloom fully in this film. The epic battle scene before the white city blows the battle in "Two Towers" away. The film flows without missing a step, and it left me wanting more, which should be impossible after nearly nine hours of film. Among the highest grossing films of all time, "Return of the King" is an all time great film, narrowly edged out as the best film of the decade by...

1. The Dark Knight - 2008

There is no denying this film its rightful place. Heath Ledger delivers an epic performance, turning you on your head. I remember when they announced that the follow up to "Batman Begins" (a great film itself) was going to focus on the character of The Joker. My brother and I both were in total agreement that this was an awful idea, because Jack had defined the role already. When they announced that Ledger would play the role I became even more skeptical. Very quickly I was proven wrong, as this movie was carried across the goal line by Ledger's amazing showing. Sure, there were other moments in this movie (mostly delivered by a stellar supporting cast including Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Aaron Eckhart), but when Ledger was on screen he stole the show. The most legitimate complaint I've heard about this film is that it wasn't enough of a Batman film; that is, the film isn't really about Batman. That's true, and given Christian Bale's lackluster performance, that might be a good thing. But this movie is an all-time great, and it will stand the test of time.