From Pixar to Prada

The top 10 films of the decade

By James McDonald

The arduous task of choosing 10 films from thousands upon thousands that were produced in the past 10 years – years in which film progressed into more artistic, character driven, and thought-provoking realms – has been a task that has proven difficult to say the very least.

The decade has shown us that individuals in movies can have as big an impact as thorough plot, that computer graphics can look as real as any true-to-life cinematic, and that film has the ability to move us in its visual simplicity or complexity, whichever the case may be.

Before I begin the list, I want to thank the dozens of people who gave their input and insight into the compilation, and want to give honourable mentions to Chicago (2003), The Dark Knight (2008), Doubt (2008), Garden State (2004), and Little Miss Sunshine (2006), all of which came very close to making the list.

  1. Notes On A Scandal (2006)

The only British film to make the cut, this drama showed two of the decade’s leading actresses – Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett – in arguably their strongest roles to date. The story revolves around Barbara Covett (Dench) and her obsession with new teacher Sheba Hart (Blanchett). When Sheba’s love affair with a much younger male student is revealed, sparks fly – nay, fireworks erupt – as Barbara blackmails her colleague into a tangled relationship. This films shows why powerful acting is more important than a well-designed plot, and plays on the human condition to feed on the juiciest of scandals.

  1. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Before you throw tomatoes my way, hear me out on this one. Prada is everything a light comedy should be: Well delivered and pleasing for all audiences, with an exaggerated but true-to-life script and a memorable cast. Add this to Miranda Priestly, one of the most definitive characters in mainstream cinema, ingeniously portrayed by Meryl Streep, and a four-week stint as the top-grossing film in the world, and we have ourselves a dominant film in fantastic stilettos.

  1. Lost In Translation (2003)

A profound film in its simplicity, Translation leaves much of the emotion to be felt by the viewer rather than blatantly shown by the cast. Charlotte and Bob, played by Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray respectively, meet while in Tokyo and develop an unexpected, unspoken bond. The movie plays with boundaries, of both cultural and age, as well as human ignorance and expectation, to create a quiet yet unforgettable series of events in a part of the world so different from our own.

  1. The Lord Of The Rings trilogy (2001-2003)

No top movies list, whether for the past decade or the past hundred years, would be complete without this trio of blockbusters. As possibly the most well known films in the last 10 years, Peter Jackson’s ongoing fantasy epic compels the viewer to fall in love with so many characters – from the gorgeous elf Legolas to the animated Gollum /Sméagol – while gallivanting around Middle Earth. As the only box office giant and Best Picture winner to make this list (Return Of The King, 2003), the LOTR trilogy easily earned its spot in the top 10.

  1. Memento (2000)

Awake. Where am I? Oh, I’m in the office, writing about Memento. Leonard Shelby (Guy Pierce) has no long-term memory, therefore every minute his memory refreshes, leaving him confused and disoriented. His life’s mission is to find the man who killed his wife, the last incident he can clearly remember. Covered in tattoos to direct him, he lives a life of uncertainty, and draws the audience in on his disjointed journey. The facet of this movie that separates it from all others is its innovation. No movie has jumped through periods of time in a seemingly random order with such rhyme or reason, in a way that conveys exactly what Leonard is going through. A sometimes overlooked masterpiece, Memento looks at life and memory in a unique and fascinating way. Now… where was I?

  1. The Hours (2002)

Three of our generation’s strongest female actors – Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep – join together as three aspects of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway: Kidman plays Virginia Woolf during the period of time in which she is writing the 1925 classic; Moore portrays a desperate mother reading the novel; Streep characterizes Dalloway herself with a modern backdrop. This prismatic look at suicide and mental anguish, paired with a superb script and compelling performances, won the hearts of critics and audiences alike.

  1. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Brokeback is a gripping romance that needs no introduction. The benchmark performance by the late Heath Ledger, coupled with a heart-wrenching performance by Jake Gyllenhaal, paved the way for Ang Lee’s adaptation of Annie Proulx’s short story by the same name to become a worldwide phenomenon. Arguably the most prominent gay movie ever produced, Brokeback tears at the emotions of the audience, showing that all is not always fair in love or war in any era.

  1. Wall-E (2008)

Prior to watching the recent Disney-Pixar flick, I had reservations: A bumbling robot in a bleak setting cleaning up after humankind with little speech or interaction with other characters. Pixar began the trend of universally liked family films with Toy Story in 1995, made it seamless and popular with Finding Nemo and Ratatouille in ’03 and ’07 respectively, but perfected it in ’08 with Wall-E. Following in the footsteps of Nemo and Remy, the little machine had huge shoes to fill – but he did, and did well. The film is timeless and echoes the Green movement through a star-crossed love story set in the distant future. It shows us that cartoons have power – all three of the aforementioned won Oscars and were nominated for more – and that any character can entrance us, no matter how robotic.

  1. Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain (2001)

Quite possibly the most uplifting film of all time, Amélie tells the story of one girl who ventures to change the lives of those around her, only to find love and the need to change her life as well. Through a surreal lens, we see Amélie run through the streets of Paris, following her passions and emotions alike. With an iconic performance by Audrey Tautou, an unforgettable soundtrack by Yann Tiersen, and quirky cinematography, this French powerhouse is known as a tale of hope and wonderment.

  1. Babel (2006)

Completing the trio of monumental films of ’06, this film is in a league of its own. Four groups of individuals in three locations across the globe are changed when a tourist (Cate Blanchett) is shot while on vacation in the Moroccan desert. Showing the issues with language barriers, international boundaries, and interpersonal relationships, Babel leaves the viewer pondering what drives humans, in conflict and intolerance. Completed with notable performances by actors from many nations, this masterpiece shows the frustration and strength when nothing is said.

The worst 10 of the past 10

  1. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
  2. Vanilla Sky (2001)
  3. Vantage Point (2008)
  4. Reign Over Me (2007)
  5. Kingdom Of Heaven (2005)
  6. The Happening (2008)
  7. The Fog (2005)
  8. The Chronicles Of Riddick (2004)
  9. She’s The Man (2006)
  10. Open Water (2004)
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