We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10.
Only picking seven films kills me. There are many that will miss this list. But I'm not here to talk about the almosts, the close calls, the could've beens. No. Here, we shall only talk about the top seven films of the aughts.
Complete Coverage of Top 7 Films of the Decade
Top 7 Films of the Decade by Jeff Bayer Top 7 Movies of the Decade by Nick Allen He Said - He Said ... Top 7 Films of the Decade
7. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Recap: A group of Jewish-American soldiers known as the “Inglourious Basterds” are making their way through Nazi occupied France, killing the Germans. But a German Colonel (Christoph Waltz) is out to get them, before they get him. Reason: It's really tough to pick a film from 2009 for this list. Have I given it the proper amount of time? Will I feel the same way? Here's what I thought right after I saw Basterds ... best Tarantino film since Pulp Fiction. And since I am a fan of the art he creates, this has to be on the list. The time that he gives each scene isn't a waste or just filler dialogue. For every minute that passes, the tension is turned up a notch. Plus, it's killin' Nazis.
6. Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Recap: During the bohemian revolution in France at the turn of the 20th century, a poet (Ewan McGregor) falls for a beautiful courtesan (Nicole Kidman). The problem is, she's out of his league, and a jealous duke wants her as well. The poet hopes a musical can change everything and love can lift them up where they belong. Reason: It's so rare for a musical to have emotions. Just look at Chicago and Nine if you don't believe me. They get hung up on the performance, the numbers. Not Moulin Rouge! It actually makes me care about Kidman (a rare feat). Plus, this film would not exist if not for others. It borrows in the best way possible.
5. Michael Clayton (2007)
Recap: Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is an in-house fixer for a law firm. He takes care of the dirty work for Kenner, Bach & Ledeen, one of the largest corporate firms in New York. He’s unhappy with his job, his divorce and a failed business venture with his brother. But now, he has to focus on dealing with the brilliant Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) who goes off the deep end with a case that could jeopardize more than Michael’s job. Reason: A killer voice-over by Tom Wilkinson sets the tone for this dramatic thriller, and you’re willing to go on the journey. It's the closest a thriller has also felt like it could be real life. Clooney has cemented himself as one of the best reasons to go to the theater in this decade, and for me, this is best of his bunch.
4. Memento (2000)
Recap: A man (Guy Pearce), suffering from short-term memory loss, uses notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thinks killed his wife. Reason: I remember seeing it three times in the theater with different groups of people. Every single time there was hours of conversation afterward. I imagine ten years from now, the same will still be true. Christopher Nolan put himself on the map and continues to make great films like Prestige and Dark Knight. Leonard (Pearce) is so passionate, that you actually get lost in his journey, while oddly loving that you are completely lost.
3. Wall-E (2008)
Recap: Wall-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) is a robot stuck on what is left of Earth. It’s a garbage planet and has been for nearly 700 years. His life suddenly takes a shift from beyond collecting junk when Eve, another robot, makes a trip to the planet. Suddenly Wall-E finds himself trying to save Earth, humanity and the love of his life. Reason: What looked like a Short Circuit knock-off turned out to be so much more. Saving the world became secondary to the power of holding hands. There is an amazing amount of life and humanity throughout and a quality message to boot. It's also ridiculous to think a Top 7 list of the decade can be without a Pixar film.
2. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003)
Recap: In the final chapter of the Lord of the Rings trilogy Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) are led by Gollum toward Mount Doom to destroy the ring. Meanwhile, the rest of the Fellowship wage their last war in Middle-Earth. Reason: Jaw-dropping special effects and a cast of characters we actually care about. That doesn't happen as much as it should. Jackson gave us hours and hours of joy with these films and this is the best of the bunch. And I personally needed the 30-minute goodbye at the end.
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Recap: A man (Jim Carrey) undergoes a procedure to erase the memory of his girlfriend (Kate Winslet), because she did the same thing. As the memories slowly get erased, he starts to realize how much he truly loves her, and starts to fight to keep the love. Reason: It's the only film my wife and I have seen twice in the theater together. Sure it was a mistake. The second time we saw it, it was supposed to be Jersey Girl. It was a Sunday afternoon and we were bored OK? But, the theater made a mistake and started playing Eternal. Everyone else left, and it was just the two of us. It was perfect. This is the best romance of the decade. It's able to turn tragedy and despair into hope.