Using 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. (more…)

Here are my five every-which-way-awesome films that get nowhere near the love they deserve. Those who haven’t seen them should. Those who have and didn’t like them were doing something wrong.

1. Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999) – Pure masterpiece. Ask anyone. Okay, ask me. The best comedy of the last ten years. A genius concept, perfectly executed with more quotable dialogue than any film since “Blazing Saddles.” But it’s The Mighty Rob Schneider who carries it off creating both a sympathetic character and major laughs as he reacts to the madness around him. Two other comedic greats in the reaction department, Bob Hope and Jack Benny, would’ve been proud. Don’t miss the sequel, either. Not only is there more Deuce, but Schneider throws in a little pro-America to boot. (more…)