PeruvianSkies
06-18-2007, 09:06 PM
Here is my compilation of my 10 favorite films from 2000 until now....in no particular order they are:
1. MEMENTO (2000) Dir. by Christopher Nolan.
Never has a film caused such a buzz for me afterwards just trying to comtemplate what I just saw. Also, every time that I have seen this film since my first viewing has caused a different opinion to formulate in my mind. This is a well-crafted amazing piece of filmmaking and it's no wonder why Nolan has had such success since. Guy Pierce is also superb as is the supporting cast.
http://www.offoffoff.com/film/2001/images/memento.jpg
2. DONNIE DARKO (2001) Dir. by Richard Kelly
I happened to be one of the few people to see this film early on before it became a cult phenonemon and was recommending it left and right to friends and family. Some of them shared my enthusiasm for this little gem that came out of nowhere. I look forward to seeing more work from Director Richard Kelly. This film also helped put Jake Gyllenhaul on the map as well as his equally talented sister. I prefer the Dir. Cut of the film, but both versions are superb! I honestly believe that this is one of the few modern films to truly understand the working relationship between a films soundtrack and the action on screen. The biggest example of such is the music montage with the use of Tears for Fears Head Over Heals.
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0246578/DD05.jpg
3. THE HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS (2004) Dir. by Zhang Yimou
I can't think of too many films that are as beautiful as this film. Colors just leap from the screen, it's poetic, scenic, extravagant, elegant, and masterfully crafted. Some of the best choreography of stylized fighting as well and really outmatched Yimou's 2002 film HERO, which was also quite impressive.
http://www.offoffoff.com/film/2004/images/houseofflyingdaggers.jpg
4. ALI (2001) Dir. by Michael Mann
Probably one of the most underrated and most underappreciated films that I can think of over the past decade. Not really sure why people didn't connect with this film, but I was locked in from the first frame. Michael Mann is such a genius when it comes to a biography like this, yet at the same time he focuses on the 'psyche' as well. I found Will Smith's performance to be top notch and after about 5 minutes you completely forget it's the Fresh Prince of Bel-air.
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0248667/ALI_Ropes.jpg
5. FAHRENHEIT 9/11 (2004) Dir. by Michael Moore
I have rarely seen a film that had me laughing out loud one second and on the verge of true tears the next. This is one rollercoaster of emotions documentary that (despite your personal opinion of Michael Moore) should be seen by everyone. I can't wait for the sequel! Regardless of what you think of the politics you can't deny the incredible amount of work that went into compiling this material and merging it altogether into a coherent work of art. I thought BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE was going to be his best film, but this truly knocked it out of the park as far as I am concerned.
http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/blog/911_4.jpg
6. THE HOURS (2002) Dir. by Stephen Daltry
Some films just resonate with you more than others. I don't know exactly why this film connected well with me, but I was absolutely glued to the big screen when this film was released in theaters. I think part of it has to do with the amazing score by one of my favorite composers Philip Glass. The performances are also steller and the entire package makes for one staggering film!
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/3/38/The_hours-nicole_kidman.jpg
7. IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (2000) Dir. by Wong Kar-Wai
The word that comes to mind with this film is 'aching'. There is such longing and desire that is contrained in this films main characters and the cinematography is just brilliant. In American we rarely see films this ingenious or passionate. The soundtrack is reserved, delicate, sweeping, and heartfelt.
http://www.ocean-films.com/themoodforlove/secret/images/img_menu.jpg
8. KILL BILL VOL 1 and 2 (2003/2004) Dir. by Quentin Tarantino
When a local theater finally played these two films together as a double feature there was a really cool time of Q&A afterwards with a few local critics. I remember talking about just how brilliant these two films were and one guy kept commenting on what a 'hack' Tarantino was with all of his references. My stance was simple: it takes more skill sometimes to copy & paste than it does to come up with something original. The fact that Tarantino uses his films as a tribute to the films that inspires him only goes to show just how in-tune he is with his directing/writing abilities. To tie all these things together takes some serious skill and achievement.
http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movie/kill_bill/09.jpeg
9. BATMAN BEGINS (2005) Dir. by Christopher Nolan
Just all-out FUN! I was glad to finally see a comic-book character come to life on the big screen in a really terrific way. Again, Christopher Nolan at this point with a few other films under his belt, demonstrates that he not only has what it takes to make a great film, but can also adapt material in a really authentic and engaging way!
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2005/06/16/batlead_wideweb__430x393.jpg
10. THE FOG OF WAR (2003) Dir. by Errol Morris
Probably one of the best documentaries EVER made that deal with an authentic viewpoint on war and strategy. I have to rank this up with Peter Davis' HEARTS AND MINDS (1974), which I think should be required in every high school History class. Errol Morris proves again that he is one of the finer documenary filmmakers around ranking this as one of his best alongside GATES OF HEAVEN.
http://www.24fpsmagazine.com/fogofwar.jpg
ANYONE ELSE WANNA SHARE SOME FAVS???????
1. MEMENTO (2000) Dir. by Christopher Nolan.
Never has a film caused such a buzz for me afterwards just trying to comtemplate what I just saw. Also, every time that I have seen this film since my first viewing has caused a different opinion to formulate in my mind. This is a well-crafted amazing piece of filmmaking and it's no wonder why Nolan has had such success since. Guy Pierce is also superb as is the supporting cast.
http://www.offoffoff.com/film/2001/images/memento.jpg
2. DONNIE DARKO (2001) Dir. by Richard Kelly
I happened to be one of the few people to see this film early on before it became a cult phenonemon and was recommending it left and right to friends and family. Some of them shared my enthusiasm for this little gem that came out of nowhere. I look forward to seeing more work from Director Richard Kelly. This film also helped put Jake Gyllenhaul on the map as well as his equally talented sister. I prefer the Dir. Cut of the film, but both versions are superb! I honestly believe that this is one of the few modern films to truly understand the working relationship between a films soundtrack and the action on screen. The biggest example of such is the music montage with the use of Tears for Fears Head Over Heals.
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0246578/DD05.jpg
3. THE HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS (2004) Dir. by Zhang Yimou
I can't think of too many films that are as beautiful as this film. Colors just leap from the screen, it's poetic, scenic, extravagant, elegant, and masterfully crafted. Some of the best choreography of stylized fighting as well and really outmatched Yimou's 2002 film HERO, which was also quite impressive.
http://www.offoffoff.com/film/2004/images/houseofflyingdaggers.jpg
4. ALI (2001) Dir. by Michael Mann
Probably one of the most underrated and most underappreciated films that I can think of over the past decade. Not really sure why people didn't connect with this film, but I was locked in from the first frame. Michael Mann is such a genius when it comes to a biography like this, yet at the same time he focuses on the 'psyche' as well. I found Will Smith's performance to be top notch and after about 5 minutes you completely forget it's the Fresh Prince of Bel-air.
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0248667/ALI_Ropes.jpg
5. FAHRENHEIT 9/11 (2004) Dir. by Michael Moore
I have rarely seen a film that had me laughing out loud one second and on the verge of true tears the next. This is one rollercoaster of emotions documentary that (despite your personal opinion of Michael Moore) should be seen by everyone. I can't wait for the sequel! Regardless of what you think of the politics you can't deny the incredible amount of work that went into compiling this material and merging it altogether into a coherent work of art. I thought BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE was going to be his best film, but this truly knocked it out of the park as far as I am concerned.
http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/blog/911_4.jpg
6. THE HOURS (2002) Dir. by Stephen Daltry
Some films just resonate with you more than others. I don't know exactly why this film connected well with me, but I was absolutely glued to the big screen when this film was released in theaters. I think part of it has to do with the amazing score by one of my favorite composers Philip Glass. The performances are also steller and the entire package makes for one staggering film!
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/3/38/The_hours-nicole_kidman.jpg
7. IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (2000) Dir. by Wong Kar-Wai
The word that comes to mind with this film is 'aching'. There is such longing and desire that is contrained in this films main characters and the cinematography is just brilliant. In American we rarely see films this ingenious or passionate. The soundtrack is reserved, delicate, sweeping, and heartfelt.
http://www.ocean-films.com/themoodforlove/secret/images/img_menu.jpg
8. KILL BILL VOL 1 and 2 (2003/2004) Dir. by Quentin Tarantino
When a local theater finally played these two films together as a double feature there was a really cool time of Q&A afterwards with a few local critics. I remember talking about just how brilliant these two films were and one guy kept commenting on what a 'hack' Tarantino was with all of his references. My stance was simple: it takes more skill sometimes to copy & paste than it does to come up with something original. The fact that Tarantino uses his films as a tribute to the films that inspires him only goes to show just how in-tune he is with his directing/writing abilities. To tie all these things together takes some serious skill and achievement.
http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/movie/kill_bill/09.jpeg
9. BATMAN BEGINS (2005) Dir. by Christopher Nolan
Just all-out FUN! I was glad to finally see a comic-book character come to life on the big screen in a really terrific way. Again, Christopher Nolan at this point with a few other films under his belt, demonstrates that he not only has what it takes to make a great film, but can also adapt material in a really authentic and engaging way!
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2005/06/16/batlead_wideweb__430x393.jpg
10. THE FOG OF WAR (2003) Dir. by Errol Morris
Probably one of the best documentaries EVER made that deal with an authentic viewpoint on war and strategy. I have to rank this up with Peter Davis' HEARTS AND MINDS (1974), which I think should be required in every high school History class. Errol Morris proves again that he is one of the finer documenary filmmakers around ranking this as one of his best alongside GATES OF HEAVEN.
http://www.24fpsmagazine.com/fogofwar.jpg
ANYONE ELSE WANNA SHARE SOME FAVS???????