JohnDoe
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John Doe’s Top 60 Films of the Decade – Part 1 of 3.
JD’s Favourite Films of the Decade - From numbers 60 to 41
Click HERE to see John Doe’s picks for numbers 40 - 21
Brick makes the cut - But JD loves all the movies in the list
So the first decade of the new millennium comes to a close. 10 years in, (that’s 365 days multiplied by 10 for those who wonder why these lists won’t be compiled in 2010) and ignoring war, famine, crumbling economies, social collapse etc in typical form John Doe is immersed in his celluloid bubble looking back to scrutinize the cinematic wonders.
The first thing JD realized as he embarked on this sacred list, was the abundance of rewarding films released from 2000-2009. Be they solely for entertainment or something more emotionally/intellectually complex.
As things go around here, it all got out of hand pretty quick and a planned “Top 10 of the Decade” had to be shelved due to the Cecil B Demille like size of the short list alone. Management was consulted, tough decisions made and it was settled that instead the 10 became 60, even though that number still sees many beloved personal favourites become casualties of JD’s editorial war.
To be clear this is purely a subjective list (“favourites” not “best”), though by the struggle in ranking you would think it was the etching of the Ten Commandments. Enough exposition, counting backwards John Doe Film Reviews presents numbers 60 to 41, for today anyway.
41. Unbreakable (2000)
Do you see any Teletubbies in here? Do you see a slender plastic tag clipped to my shirt with my name printed on it? Do you see a little Asian child with a blank expression on his face sitting outside on a mechanical helicopter that shakes when you put quarters in it? No? Well, that's what you see at a toy store. And you must think you're in a toy store, because you're here shopping for an infant named Jeb. - Mr Glass
42. Dog Soldiers (2002)
We are now up against live, hostile targets. So, if Little Red Riding Hood should show up with a bazooka and a bad attitude, I expect you to chin the bitch. - Sergeant Harry Welles
43. Frailty (2001)
Only demons should fear me. You're not a demon are you? The angle said you were. I can't believe that. I won't. You're my son, and I love you more than my own life. You know what's funny about all this Fenton? I'm afraid of you. - Dad
44. Batoru Rowaiaru (Battle Royale) (2000)
So today's lesson is, you kill each other off till there's only one left. Nothing's against the rules. - Teacher.
45. High Fidelity (2000)
My desert island, all-time, top-five most memorable breakups, in chronological order, are as follows: Alison Ashmore; Penny Hardwick; Jackie Alden; Charlie Nicholson; and Sarah Kendrew. Those were the ones that really hurt. Can you see your name on that list, Laura? Maybe you'd sneak into the top ten. But there's just no room for you in the top five, sorry. Those places are reserved for the kind of humiliation and heartbreak you're just not capable of delivering. - Rob
Sidenote - Next time rank list autobiographically!
46. The Proposition (2005)
Now, suppose I told you there was a way to save your little brother Mikey from the noose. Suppose I gave you a horse and a gun. Suppose, Mr. Burns, I was to give both you and your young brother Mikey, here, a pardon. Suppose I said that I could give you the chance to expunge the guilt beneath which you so clearly labour. Suppose I gave you till Christmas. Now, suppose you tell me what it is I want from you. - Captain Stanley
47. The Mist (2007)
David, we're a civilized society - Sure, as long as the machines are working and you can dial 911. But you take those things away, you throw people in the dark, you scare the shit out of them - no more rules. - David Drayton
48. Lord of War (2005)
There are over 550 million firearms in worldwide circulation. That's one firearm for every twelve people on the planet. The only question is: How do we arm the other 11? - Yuri Orlov
49. Hard Candy (2005)
Wow... You know, that is so thoughtful! You are speaking to me so selflessly! I mean, you just don't want me to castrate you for my own benefit? Wow, I'm touched. Jeff, why don't we imagine someone saying the same thing to you at a random moment? Imagine that when you downloaded this little girl... I was sitting by your side saying, "Stop, don't do that to yourself. Stop, don't do that to yourself. Stop. Stop. Would you have listened? - Hayley
50. American Splendor (2003)
Sorta, yeah. But no idealized shit. No phony bullshit. The real thing, y'know? Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff. - Harvey
51. May (2002)
I saw someone today. A boy. You know how when you meet someone...and you think you like them? And then, the more you talk to them, you see parts that you don't like. Like that guy on the bench. And sometimes, you end up not liking any parts at all. But this boy is different. I like every part of him. Especially his hands, they're beautiful. - May
52. Bridge to Terabithia (2008)
She brought you something special when she came here, didn't she? That's what you hold onto. That's how you keep her alive.- Jack
53. Ghostworld (2001)
I can't relate to 99% of humanity. - Seymour
54. Los Cronocrímenes (Time Crimes) (2007)
We still have a while before it starts raining. - Hector
55. Sexy Beast (2000)
Shut up, cunt. You louse. You got some fuckin' neck ain't you. Retired? Fuck off, you're revolting. Look at your suntan, it's leather, it's like leather man, your skin. We could make a fucking suitcase out of you. Like a crocodile, fat crocodile, fat bastard. You look like fucking Idi Amin, you know what I mean? Stay here? You should be ashamed of yourself. Who do you think you are? King of the castle? Cock of the walk? - Don
56. Brick (2005)
Look, I can't trust you. You ought to be smart enough to know that. I didn't shake up the party to get your attention, and I'm not heeling you too hook you. Your connections could help me, but the bad baggage they bring could make it zero sum gain or even hurt me. Better coming at it clean. - Brendan Frye
57. Thank you For Smoking (2005)
People, what is going on out there? I look down this table, all I see are white flags. Our numbers are down all across the board. Teen smoking, our bread and butter, is falling like a shit from heaven! We don't sell Tic Tacs for Christ's sake. We sell cigarettes. And they're cool and available and *addictive*. The job is almost done for us! - BR
58. The Descent (2005)
Hey, there's something down here.. - Holly
59. Equilibrium (2002)
Prozium - The great nepenthe. Opiate of our masses. Glue of our great society. Salve and salvation, it has delivered us from pathos, from sorrow, the deepest chasms of melancholy and hate. With it, we anesthetize grief, annihilate jealousy, obliterate rage. Those sister impulses towards joy, love, and elation are anesthetized in stride, we accept as fair sacrifice. For we embrace Prozium in its unifying fullness and all that it has done to make us great. - Father
60. Star Trek (2006)
I like this ship! You know, it's exciting! - Scotty
Click HERE to see John Doe’s picks for numbers 40-21
Horrorphile
Film & TV on DVD
Yeah I know...ranking was an absolute bitch...and i don't agree with my own rankings now its live.
I was surprised by how many 8/10 films and above were released in the last 10 years. There were another 50 that I found brutally hard to remove. - I almost did it by genre
20/20 Filmsight
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Film & TV on DVD
A fickle sport list making is.
One thing is sure, all the films listed above have been viewed multiple times here and are regularly gushed over. Problem is that goes for all 60 enteries.
What I'm saying is no argument here, Sexy Beast and Dog Soldiers both rank as genre greats!
Hope you appreciate parts 2 and 3 of the post as much.
Film & TV on DVD
Yes, Brick does rock.
So which ones on the list haven't you seen yet??
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
So far so good old boy - and good to see that High Fidelity got a guernsey in the first sermon.
Can't wait for the next two installments.
Film & TV on DVD
It was a tough list and I'm sure that Time Crimes, Sexy Beast and American Splendor all could have fit just as comfortably in the top 10 as in the 60's.
P.S
I checked out your new blog and liked it. Haven't had a chance to comment yet, but intend too.
Film & TV on DVD
I don't think I would take my list as the holy document I made it out to be. Even I am questioning the rankings, but all the films are at least worth a look or investigation if you haven't seen them.
For a music guru like yourself I am sure High Fidelity and Almost famous would rank up there.
Hope the rest of my list satisfies
Thoughts from a Cinephile
Thoughts from a TV Watcher
Thoughts from a Cinephile
Thoughts from a TV Watcher
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Sexy Beast
Los Cronocrímenes
May
American Splendor
Batoru Rowaiaru
And I absoultely loathed The Mist.
Dog Soldiers and Hard Candy totally rocked too and glad you liked Terbithia - I loved that film.
Horrorphile
I definitely agree with you on how hard it is to make lists though, it's hard comparing really great movies. Especially over different genres. Thank You For Smoking is a fantastic film that i didn't expect to come out of my sister. (Did i mention i actually met Aaron Eckhart in an airport in Vegas?)
keep it up though, can't wait to see the rest
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
it looked like a telemovie, and it read like a biblical sermon
however, im with you on Ghostworld, one of the best movies ever made
Film & TV on DVD
Hi Catherine,
Cool your digging the list, i will warn you two of your most overrated turn up ...Unbreakable and the Incredibles both make the cut
Film & TV on DVD
Sexy Beast
Los Cronocrímenes
May
American Splendor
Batoru Rowaiaru
And I absoultely loathed The Mist.
Dog Soldiers and Hard Candy totally rocked too and glad you liked Terbithia - I loved that film.
Hi Jason,
Bridge to Terabithia really surprised me with how it connected with me...i think we already talked the Mist back when i reviewed it...bah humbug
Film & TV on DVD
That's what i want to know...not that this site endorses virtual lynching for crimes against cinema, well its not that bad but anyway...
Film & TV on DVD
I definitely agree with you on how hard it is to make lists though, it's hard comparing really great movies. Especially over different genres. Thank You For Smoking is a fantastic film that i didn't expect to come out of my sister. (Did i mention i actually met Aaron Eckhart in an airport in Vegas?)
keep it up though, can't wait to see the rest
Hi Daishin,
Yeah you told me the Eckhart tale and I was appropriately enthralled.
As for Hard Candy i liked the claustrophobic cinematography that utilized the tiny set, added to the urgent atmosphere. I think I was so engaged in the characters I may have yelled at the scene once or twice myself
Film & TV on DVD
it looked like a telemovie, and it read like a biblical sermon
however, im with you on Ghostworld, one of the best movies ever made
Hi Morgan, another Mist hater. I really loved the study of human nature that was the film. How easily led by religion when confronted with unexplained danger. That fire and brimstone character played by marcia gay harden is one of my most hated characters in film....as it should be
I do prefer to the black and white version on the US double disc but never thought the cinematography and sound design was stagnant or pedestrian??
Again Im getting defensive about my favourites, its just a film, its just afilm
Ghostworld never gets the love it deserves glad we meet on that one!