Top 15 Films of the New Millennium
by John NolteUsing reader scores, IMDB ranked their top 15 films produced since 2000. Other than “The Departed,” which along with “Mystic River,” “Crash,” “Crash,” and “Crash,” ranks in the top 5 over-rated films of ever, there’s little to quibble over. Taste is a subjective thing.
My personal Top 15 are ranked as my favorites always are — based on nothing more than re-watchability. “Rocky Balboa” might not be better written, photographed or acted than any number of films not on this list, but I’m going to watch it a helluva lot more, that’s for sure.
1. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) – Ever since the lights came up after that first screening, like a drug this lyrical, gorgeously photographed piece of myth-making has tugged me back for another taste. This isn’t easy to admit, but I think I admire Andrew Dominik’s directorial debut even more than John Ford’s “Young Mister Lincoln” (1939), which it resembles in so many ways. Were this also a listing of the greatest performances of the new millennium, Casey Affleck’s portrayal of Robert Ford would rank #1, as well.
2. The Passion of the Christ (2004) – Easily, the purest and rawest emotional cinematic experience I’ve ever had. The Left’s bigoted, venomous attacks combined with the film’s eventual blockbuster success were almost as satisfying as the re-election of George W. Bush.
3. The Dark Knight (2008) - Watching liberal critics gush over a not-so-thinly disguised thank you to President Bush and then harumph and find fault after conservatives calmly explained what this epic of action, character and allegory is really about, was nearly as much fun as the movie.
4. Up (2009) - As far as pure film-making and storytelling goes this exquisite, touching story of the adventure required to help a widower move on after losing the love of his life, is the most perfect picture on the list. In fact, it is perfect. Simply, beautifully perfectly perfect.
5. The Lives of Others (2006) – I’ve read that this unflinching look at the corrosive effects of Big Oppressive Government on the human soul was one of the late great William F. Buckley’s favorites. How’s that for an endorsement? There’s talk of an American remake, which I’m in favor of, because there’s no doubt it will come out as a disastrous failure in every respect. Liberty=good is an idea that no longer computes among those still interested in producing the adult drama. Movies may not be anywhere near as good as they were even ten years ago, but watching Leftist propaganda — which this will surely be twisted into — flop makes for a nice consolation prize.
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6. Mulholland Drive (2001) – Director David Lynch’s masterpiece was reportedly an aborted television pilot, and yet he somehow turned it into something that out-dreams dreams and out-nightmares nightmares. Mesmerizing, sexy, frightening…. and all driven by a visionary director who created a hypnotic puzzlebox unlike anything we’ve seen before or will again. My eternal thanks to my movie-watching buddy Jim Sprader for bringing it over that day…
7. 300 (2006) – God bless director Zack Snyder for not gutting and nuancing Frank Miller’s brilliant take on the Battle of Thermopylae. Hopefully, someday, Hollywood will become a tolerant place where the conservative, pro-Western themes of “300″ won’t have to be disguised in this way. Not that I mind. Visually, “300″ was not only richly rewarding, but proof that in the hands of a genius director CGI can enhance the story as opposed to distract.
8. Once (2006) – A poignant, affecting and unforgettable musical romance made in Ireland for next to no money. The song’s are stirring, the performances impeccable, the script witty… But more than all of that is a tenderness and gentle humanity rarely found in theatres these days. The perfect rainy afternoon comfort food.
9. Napoleon Dynamite (2004) - Normally my opinion of quirky is that it’s nothing more than irony gone retarded, but in a remarkable debut, co-writer/director Jared Hess strips the cynicism that usually defines quirk and replaces it with old-fashioned heart and sentiment.
10. Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) – Unflustered as he steps from a sinking ship onto a pier, Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow also stepped into cinema lore and earned enough goodwill to carry two lacking sequels to box office glory. At least through 2003, we lovers of classic cinematic adventure could no longer say, “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.”
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11. Ratatouille (2007) – Man, I loves me that little rat. Most people choose “The Incredibles” as their favorite Brad Bird entry in the Pixar canon, but Anton Ego’s monologue about the difference between those in the arena and those, like me, who snipe from the bleachers (“But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so…”) might be the best piece of dialogue since Orson Welles’ take on the cuckoo clock in “The Third Man.”
12. No Country For Old Men (2007) - This Coen Brothers Best Picture winner passes the test of a timeless classic: Each viewing is richer than the one that came before.
13. Shaun of the Dead (2004) – Funny, scary, imaginative and about as original as they come.
14. Gone Baby Gone (2007) – What “Mystic River” wanted to be and its defenders said it was can be found in Ben Affleck’s stunningly mature and emotionally devastating directorial debut. Everything from the character accents, the subtly of the performances and the many, many complicated moral questions raised are handled with precision and confidence. Best of all, Affleck leads us to one final and unforgettable closing shot where Casey Affleck silently proves he’s willing to do more than make the terrible decision which cost him everything, he’s willing to take responsibility for it.
15. Rocky Balboa (2006) – Who would have ever thought writer/director Sylvester Stallone could pull this off? But he did. And I love it more each time I see it.
20 runners up in no particular order: Friday Night Lights, Dawn of the Dead, Kill Bill I & II, Watchmen, Iron Man, Gran Torino, Casino Royale, Pursuit of Happyness, Amelie, In the Bedroom, Million Dollar Baby, Taken, 28 Weeks Later, The Station Agent, A.I., Sexy Beast, Saving Silverman, Monster’s Ball and Match Point.
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587 Comments
Nice list.
Just some random thoughts…
I've seen about half these films. I recently saw The Lives of Others and thought it was excellent. A film school friend of mine hated No Country For Old Men, at least the last twenty minutes or so. My dad caught it on TV and had the same reaction. Oh well. No love for There Will Be Blood?
I was temping at MGM when Rocky Balboa came out and was able to catch an employee screening of it – lot of fun and surprisingly good! Everyone told me to see Shaun of the Dead and I felt it was a rare movie where the hype was actually accurate! Match Point I thought was a great return for Woody Allen and it's a shame he hasn't been able to recapture that lightning in a bottle. The Station Agent has been on my Netflix list since I first became a Netflix subscriber.
Casino Royale was one of the best movie-going experiences I've ever had. While temping at MGM, a few of us were asked to go to the theater across the street. There was to be an employee screening after work and they wanted to make sure the A/V was up to par. So the three of us got to see the film in the theater a.) before everyone else, and b.) with no one else in the theater, just us three. It was great!
And I still have mixed feelings about A.I. It leaves me conflicted to this day…
Definitely down with Pirates: COTB. One of THE most surprising movies I’ve ever seen in a theater.
As a dad with two daughters, I’m also throwing in Monster’s Inc. The ending to that movie was GREAT. Can’t believe they’re going to ruin it with a sequel.
But any list about best movies of the millennium that doesn’t include the Lord of the Rings trilogy is lacking.
Peace.
I would have to include the Lord of the Ring trilogy, probably The Return of the King. As a classic tale of good vs. evil the characters demonstrated so many of the qualities we used to hold in high regard: hope (true hope), freedom over enslavement, duty and honor, friendship, and committment to something larger than ourselves.
My favorite scene is where the army of Rohan arrives before the gates of Minas Tirith and finds the city invested by the army of the dark one. The cinematic beauty and the interplay of light and darkness in that scene was wonderful. Another favorite scene – from The Two Towers – was the decision of the Ents to go to battle even if it might be the last march of the Ents. Just the lesson that apathy is not realistic when confronted with good was well worth the price of admision.
Napolean Dynamite was a dud! Re-watchability? I regretted watching it the first (and only) time. I think I only laughed once. Can you replace it with "The House Bunny"?
I agree with nearly all of these choices… of the ones I've seen (which is most). I champion your pick of "Lives of Others" and "Shaun of the Dead." But I loathe Mulholland Dr with the fire of a thousand suns. What an utter crapfest that was.
I get indescribable rage in regards to 'Crash'. It had the plot and sentiments of a high school production, which is why I hate it, but I guess what really gets to me are the accolades it received, as well as its 2-D thinking fans. As the years pass people seem more willing to speak against it, but damn it when it came out those fans were zealots about it.
I like a lot of the movies on the list. I'm still trying to figure out Mulholland Drive. I'm almost there.
Assassination…? Really, I was totally put to sleep by this one. I love Casey Affleck and think his work in Gone Baby Gone was excellent. Maybe I'll try again. I am in agreement with Up. I laughed more than the three year old I watched it with.
I wish my local RedBox would get "House Bunny." I really want to see it. Of course, I was all excited about "Paul Blart" too and couldn't have been more disappointed.
No Country for Old Men was good only for the performances of the main characters. The plot disappointed, especially at the end. The performance of Javier Bardem was riveting. They missed an opportunity to highlight the confrontation between he and Josh Brolin.
I was so mesmerized by the first screening I didn't trust that it was the movie — could've been the back pill — but I saw it again with no back pill and it had the exact same effect.
I would have to add:
Tony Scott's "Man on Fire"
Ridley Scott's "Black Hawk Down"
HBO's "Conspiracy"
Scorsese's "Gangs of New York" and "The Departed"
I felt the same way after the first screening, but watching it again helped to make sense of it.
I hated Mulholland Drive first time through as well, but once I understood that it was largely the delusional and paranoid dream of a mentally ill actress (Naomi Watts) this movie became much more interesting, particularly, trying to determine where it slides in and out of reality and picking up the various tells.
Me too. At first, I wasn't even sure Brolin was dead. An odd way to shoot it. Build up to it and then skip ahead.
300 showed that the will of the people (movie goers) is stronger than the will of the establishment (critics, award shows,etc.)
Both are long, but somehow incredibly compelling to watch. Mel does do brutal, he always has, and it is heavily on display in both movies.
Watched "Dawn of the Dead" again this weekend and it gets better evry time I watch it. Maybe its because I have had a crush of Sarah Polley ever since "GO"
And totally agree with "Gone Baby Gone", I was not expecting much from both Afflects but was amazed how truely great movie this was. Ben needs to stop acting and make more movies like this.
I have watched it several times just to enjoy the individual performances and still feel they missed the boat. It just leaves me unfulfilled at the end. It's anti-climatic and the way the Brolin character gets offed after the build-up is just unbelievable.
You mentioned The Incredibles, but failed to list it. Top 15 easily. Also no LOTR love?
Scott – Although a fan of the Coens, No Country is so damned depressing. It's almost nihilistic; Nietchesque {spelling} if you will. I agree with you on Match Point, I'd put it up there with Fracture for not giving away the eventual ending. There will be blood was a great acting performance, but it did move a bit slowly at times. Gotta love the new Bond. That is a return to what a spy movie ought to be and the best Bond since "From Russia with Love."
Out of curiosity, what would your list of the bottom 15 films be?
"Taken"
Absolutely a must-see for conservatives. And for a liberal friend you want to shake out of their stupidituide.
Black Hawk Down really had an impact with the military. A lot of lessons learned in that one. Hopefully, they will be remembered.
The Bill Maher sex tape. : )
One can always quibble over choices- I would have to put Master and Commander right on top – but it´s a fine list. At least I have seen twelve of them.
I´m especially glad to see David Lynch up there. At a time when every halfway competent filmmaker is inevitably called a visionary, Lynch is one of the few who deserve that title. I may be unable to make sense of his vision (is that even the point?) but his work is spellbinding. And he uses darkness like no one else.
Memento?
Black Hawk Down?
Gladiator?
Master and Commander?
Lord of the Rings?
Oh well, to each his own
Thanks to you John, Jesse James is now one of my favorite films.
I loved how the supporting cast members were given near equal time to flesh-out their characters…such as with Paul Schneider's portrayal of "Dick Liddil" and Garret Dillahunt's "Ed Miller"
Given any more screen time and Schneider might’ve completely stolen the film.
But what really did it for me was the music….definitely one of the most exquisitely-haunting movie scores I've ever heard.
I've seen this film over a half-dozen times now and each time I'm more amazed at just how perfectly composed it is.
A true rarity in this age of filmmaking.
Nothing wrong with that! I still think the first fifteen minutes are excellent, especially when the one kids yells, "Caaandy baaarss!!"
John:
A note of thanks. I missed "Jesse James" when it was released and only after I read your rave review did I screen the film. It is a beauty, a cross between Carl Dreyer's contemplative and moral Judeo-Christian landscape and Anthony Mann's deeply pessimistic view of the old west.
By the way, the novel by Ron Hansen, on which the film is based, is brilliant. I also highly recommend Hansen's other great western novel, "Desperadoes," the story of the Dalton gang.
Nothing wrong with that!
I still think the first fifteen minutes (which had been put online before the film was released) are hilarious, especially when the one kid yells, "Caaandy baaarss!!"
Nothing wrong with that!
I still think the first fifteen minutes (which had been put online before the film was released) are hilarious, especially when the one kid yells, "Caaandy baaarss!!"
Pretty good list, though I think there are a few oversights. First of all, I'm amazed that Monsters Inc. has gotten lost in the shuffle. That is Pixar's best movie, with only the original Toy Story and Up approaching it in quality. Also, Gladiator has to be on any list of the best movies of the new millennium. Finally, there are several other quality superhero movies apart from The Dark Knight that are worth mentioning, particularly Batman Begins and Spiderman 2.
I don't watch movies, so… I have to ask, is that a joke?
Dude, i am shocked. As you know, I enjoy watching direct-to-video releases starring former A-talent now slumming it, and last night alone i watched two in that category which wee better than the Brad Pitt bore-fest. Casey Affleck is a great actor, and I agree with you on Gone-Baby Gone, but come on, man
that is a great list.. there are about 5 movies on there I would have included… I think that being that we are only 9 years in…. we should make a shorter list!
Thanks for Napoleon Dynamite–It captured such a vibe and from time to time when my husband and I see a cool tech toy we must sing, "I love technology…but not as much as you you see…but I still love technology…"
That thing is quirky but you're dead right about the big heart.
Now I'm going to have to watch it. I've got it dvr'd, but am not a fan of anyone named Affleck. But I'm guessing Casey is a better actor than his troll brother. And I've heard nothing but good reviews of this movie.
I know that one had to be with himself. Since he loves himself so much.
I know that one had to be with himself. Since he loves himself so much. Ewwww.
Show Girls…….definitely.
Jed is correct, Apocalypto is very compelling and rewatchable. The movie is hated by the Left because it does not portray the pre-Spanish societies as blissful utopias. Surprise, there was actually oppression, depravity, war and murder before Whites moved in.
I have to inject Terrence Malick's "The New World" (2005), Hilary Birmingham's "Tully" (2000), Todd Field's "In the Bedroom" (2001), and Michael Apted's "Amazing Grace" (2006) into the conversation.
I'm with you on LOTR and all my favorite bits are with Rohan. The people of Gondor seem more like a cautionary tale.
I recently re-watched all of them (my son turned 9 and we promised he could watch them then) and I was struck by how conservative the films are–and perfect for the time in which they were made…
Beautiful movie. God, I love that dog. Also, damn you Pixar for making a grown man, a war vet no less, weep in public!!
Looking forward to _Law Abiding Citizen_, at least from the trailer.. Just wondering how Hollyweird is going to fuck it up though :p
I have used that segment where Gandalf tells Pippin why Gondor has fallen into decay as a way to explain the value of learning our western civilization.
I agree with you that Gondor is a cautionary tale about the need for historical perspective, proper priorities, and the right kind of leadership.
Nick Cave's music in The Proposition was one of the highlights of that movie as well. Nice call.
Yes, thank goodness, it is a joke!
I'm a big fan of "New World," another dreamy, mesmerizing experience… In the Bedroom made my runner up list, Amazing Grace is good but not quite up there — haven't seen TULLY.
Ooh, In The Bedroom, yes.
Had to take it that one extra step didn't you? : )
And Sexy Beast Up there in top 15, as well…. ok, back to work for me
Whenever my (50-something year old) parents encounter the word "skills," they usually follow it up with, "You know, like nunchuck skills, bow hunting skills…"
'Cuz chicks dig guys with skills…
I enjoyed Amazing Grace too but it could have been stronger.
I liked 'Napoleon" the same way…I love when he's feeding the damn Llama..he just tosses the "food" over the fence…
I'm with you on that. I had to read interpretations of the story lines and watched it again. It was better after I got it semi-figured out.
Except for the Pixar pics, Muholland drive and Gone Baby Gone I would agree with you. Pixar movies are good, my problem is they always seem to dissapoint my daughter. My daughter is 5 so when I say dissapoint I mean puts her to sleep. Is there some new rule that kids movies have to be close to 2 hours long. Whenever I want my daughter to go to bed I pop in Ratatouille. As far as Gone Baby Gone So I'm suppose to believe that cops are taking kids off the street out of the blue with out thinking hey this could possibly backfire? Really? And the girlfriend leaves casey because he does the right thing? What the f she didnt have anything invested in the childs welfare. I just dont get it. Acting was good story was shight. Im with the thousand sun guy on Muholland dr.
No love for Team America.
No Country for Old Men? Don't get it.
No love for Team America?
No love for Team America? I laughed so hard during the "love scene" I couldn't breath. Literally.
Or, as was said so well on NRO: 'Taken' is 'patriarchy porn'
I think everyone came away with the same experience on first viewing of No Country. I actually did as Richard Roeper recommended and watched a second time and had an altogether different perspective. The film is nihilistic and unfulfilling but is a smart commentary on violence and crime in the present day.
BTW John, good list. I view movies sparingly and I've seen 11 of the movies in your top 15 so I think either you know how to reach your readers or I've been exceptionally lucky in my choices.
Three cheers for "stupiditude!" That one goes in the memory bank.
Memento and Gladiator were released in 2000. The new millenium began in 2001.
I think "You Kill Me" is a better Ben Kingsley flick. IMHO of course.
Blame Cormac McCarthy if you didn't like it. But also remember that it's not a movie about what it seems to be about. On the surface, it's a crime thriller, a chase movie; but underneath, it's about death. The death of everything, including an entire way of the world, a whole lifestyle, the replacement of the old order with the new. Listen to Tommy Lee Jones's voice-overs and his comments to other characters, especially at the end. It'll make more sense if you do that than if you think of it as a Plot Point A-to-Plot Point Z movie.
And the book is just brilliant, as most everything by McCarthy is.
District 9
Uh, Lord of the Rings was in the new millennium. O_o Maybe you forgot. Or maybe you don't like them. In which case…*calls in the town hall mob for reinforcements, but they forget the noose*
Ironically, Mel Gibson was no supporter of W. XD I remember him mocking the lack of WMDs in Iraq in his Diane Sawyer interviews.
Thank you, ya never know these days.
I can't watch the Passion, it made my sister cry and she is a class A hard ass. So for a movie to do that to her I just know what it would do to me, I mean I cry watching Bambi for the 12th time.
Personally, I would've chosen There Will Be Blood over No Country for Old Men.
My other favorites:
Ghost World
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Punch-Drunk Love
Lost in Translation
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Brokeback Mountain
Walk the Line
Anchorman
Superbad
Maybe I read No Country for Old Men wrong, but I thought the ending was sublime.
The sheriff faced a man with twisted morality who blended into society and killed because he judged it the moral thing to do. The sheriff's father would have been of the generation that fought in WWII. When the sheriff sat at that table he would have been the age of his father he remembered in his dream.
The sheriff came up short, but the cautionary message I read in it? There is evil in this world, we either carry the horn with fire in it, or we surrender.
Since 300, The Dark Knight and Sean of the Dead made the list I would like to give an honorable mention to Josh Whedon's "Serenity". I am not sure what Mr. Whedon's political leanings are but it is easy for me as a conservative to see the current political climate reflected in the storyline of this future sci-fi classic.
In all fairness, I am sure if you are liberal you could make a case for "your" side. Definitely worth a watch and most definitely worth a debate.
I saw "Mullholland", "Pirates", "No Country" and "Dark Knight" and liked only "Pirates".
Am I alone in thinking it's too early to make this sort of determination?
WAY too early.
"No Country For Old Men" is my perpetual whipping post. The author of this mess just got lazy, the story just went poof at the end, and the Coen bros. just went along with the mess. What hero status Llewellyn Moss was approaching but was killed off before a suitable ending could be devised, I'm still pissed!!!
I'm surprised you didn't include City of God, a film that deserved to sweep the Oscars in 2003.
D-9 will stand the test of time.
Serenity has already been a featured midnight show many times at the Nuart Theatre in LA. I think that speaks to it's appeal and longevity.
As I've said before regarding District 9, sci-fi movies are a Conservative home run.
I liked Ratatouille… but there's no way I can put it above The Incredibles. I'm surpsied that SHaun of the Dead made your list, John.. (I would probably put it on my list, but i'd have to pick between SotD and Hot Fuzz for my "simon pegg comedy" choice.)
I liked Ratatouille… but there's no way I can put it above The Incredibles. I'm surprised that SHaun of the Dead made your list, John.. (I would probably put it on my list, but i'd have to pick between SotD and Hot Fuzz for my "simon pegg comedy" choice.)
I should have clarified that I have seen Apocalypto. Loved it, for, among other reasons, the way it infuriated the usual suspects with an honest portrayal a pre-Colombian super-power… and to think it wasn't even close to the most brutal one that existed at that time.
It was amazing how in one sweeping arc, from the prisoners' entrance into the city until the protagonist's escape, Gibson managed to show a cross section of an entire imperial city, from the humanity of the lowest and most wretched class to the inhumanity of the decaying, decadent, and manipulative royalty.
Why wasn't "Grand Torino" on the list? Of Course the hero gets killed, but you're okay with it. Now that's an ending that can be lived with, seeing to it the bad guys go down along with "political correctness"…
Anything with Sean Penn that isn't Fast Times At Ridgemont High or Colors.
Agree, Snyder's DotD is OUTSTANDING. The finale still freaks me out.
RamRod…say it, Car RamRod…say car RamRod!!!
When I first heard people raving about new film called Crash, my first thought was, "That can't be right, JG Ballard has never had that kind of mass appeal."
I thought Casey was amazing in The Assassination…. He made me feel uncomfortable as Ford, yet I was very sympathetic to the character. I've never experienced that watching a film. Also the music and cinematography was amazing.
i think the part that misleads most people who don't "get" NCFOM is that Llewyn is NOT the protagonist.
I just have to say that A.I. was the worst movie (big budget) I have ever seen. The first one-third was a dervivative of 2001, the second a derivative of Blade Runner and the third a derivateive of Spielberg's own Strange Encounters…"
Lost in Translation was also terrible. Two self absorbed, uninteresting people saying and doing nothing for two hours. Bill Murry couldn't go to sleep; I couldn't wake up.
Have to agree.
Loved Monster's Inc. when it first came out, but now that I have children, I tear up every time I hear "kitty" and see his face at the end.
A sequel? Oh that's just terrible.
The first Pirates was great. I got almost the same feeling watching it that I did in '77 watching Star Wars for the first time. Shame about the sequels. Shaun of the Dead was great. I also like the 28 Days movies. A lot of conservatives see 28 Weeks Later as anti-American military, but I don't see it that way at all. I think any reasonable person would agree with the free fire decision since it was utterly impossible to distinguish targets at that point. And, people complained about the car being targeted. Well, just look at how that decision was borne out by the ending. Sorry, France.
I thought it was sily, and adolescent (well, base doff of a comic book, so duh), and butchered history.
That having been said, I will give it credit for not making the Persian Empire to turn out to really be the good guys and all that other sort of endless left-wing dialectic we are used to being spoon fed.
I thought it was silly, and adolescent (well, base doff of a comic book, so duh), and butchered history.
That having been said, I will give it credit for not making the Persian Empire to turn out to really be the good guys and all that other sort of endless left-wing dialectic we are used to being spoon fed.
I thought it was silly, and adolescent (well, based off of a comic book, so duh), and butchered history.
That having been said, I will give it credit for not making the Persian Empire to turn out to really be the good guys and all that other sort of endless left-wing dialectic we are used to being spoon fed.
It has been a rather weak decade. The Joker in The Dark Knight, Napolean Dynamite, and Beatrix Kiddo in Kill Bill are the only iconic performances that will be remembered from this decade in 20 years from now. Perhaps Frodo amd Gandof in The Lord of the Rings might have legs.
"want me to punchisize your face? FOR FREE?"
so many quotes from that movie, so little time
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