The Best Films of the 2000s and more.
Posts tagged British
Top 10 Popcorn Flicks of the 2000s
Jul 10th
We all love going to the movies. That’s why you’re here, right? Well, since it’s summer and Blockbusters rule the world at the moment, I thought it would be a great time to put out my Top 10 Popcorn Flicks – those movies that go so well with a bucket-o-popcorn (or Kettlecorn for you sweettooths out there.) There are a lot of great popcorn movies – hell, most movies that are released are made to be viewed over the wide brim of a jumbo bucket, but only a handful are memorable, great, or even the best.
As per usual, these films are listed chronologically and are otherwise not listed in any specific order. Feel free to leave your own top ten popcorn flicks in the comments!
Enjoy!
Snatch. (2000)
Crime doesn’t pay, it steals your dignity. This super stylish crime comedy influenced countless films over the last ten years – few that ever reached the same level of fun.
Enduring Love (2004)
May 10th
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rhys Ifans, Samantha Morton
Director: Roger Michell
Country: UK
Genre: Thriller
Don’t be a hero, Joe.
Roger Michell has certainly crafted himself a diverse body of work from the romantic fare of Notting Hill to the supercharged Changing Lanes and the poignantly hilarious Venus. In Enduring Love he has taken on the thriller genre and explored all that it has to offer. In terms of the script, it’s not anything entirely new, but the events that unfold have a certain freshness to them. This could be in part to the visual style which is absolutely breathtaking. This might also be due to the amazing performances by Samantha Morton, Rhys Ifans and by far Daniel Craig who shows he’s far more than James Bond makes him out to be. It’s a surprising and emotionally packed thriller which gives it a longevity over most films in the genre, and it’s sure to satisfy those looking for more than just cheap thrills.
Love Actually (2003)
Apr 14th
ROMANTIC COMEDY PICK:
Starring: Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth
Director: Richard Curtis
Country: UK
Genre: Romantic Comedy
In case you needed another reason to <3 the holidays.
Of all of the holiday films around, there’s a staggering lack of romantic comedies which might be one of the plethora of reasons why Love Actually is beloved. This is, perhaps, the Magnolia of romantic comedies, weaving multiple story lines and characters into each other to create a world of connectivity. It works, because after all, love is about connection. With such an huge and appealing cast, it’s hard not to find at least one thing to adore about this film. It effortlessly glides between being entirely humorous to ultra cute to immensely touching. Its biggest flaw is that it might be a touch too long, but anyone who loves these characters are sure to be forgiving. In terms of 00′s romantic comedies, this could be hailed as the mecca.
1001 Movie Club: The Third Man (1949)
Apr 2nd
Film noir is a term usually reserved for American films, but the types of stories they are typically based on have no ties directly to America. In fact crime, detectives, gritty landscapes, and harsh shadows were perfectly suited for post-WWII Europe. The Third Man is probably the best non-American noir, if not one of the top all-time film noirs.
Vienna poses as the backdrop for the tale of mystery and intrigue as a dime novelist shows up on the invitation of his friend who apparently has died only moments before his arrival. After attending the funeral and meeting numerous people from his friend’s life, he realizes that things don’t necessarily add up and thus begins an investigation for the truth.
The Third Man is quite a cinematic experience. It goes without saying that the Oscar winning cinematography is absolutely stunning. The film was shot nearly entirely on location in Vienna, using the shambles of a once beautiful city to great effect. The rubble piles of broken buildings and bridges present a visualization of all the pieces of the puzzle that yet still have to be assembled. The cinematography is some of the best ever captured, turning the chaos and disaster of the city into a thing of beauty. More >
1001 Movie Club: Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
Mar 26th
The 1930’s were one of the greatest, if not the greatest, decade of cinema. Countless classics graced us from all corners of the globe by [now] legendary directors. With a list of quintessential films a mile long, one could both argue for or against Frank Lloyd’s 1935 high seas drama Mutiny on the Bounty.
It follows the lives of British sailors as they take a two-year journey to pick up some exotic plants from Tahiti. However, the ship’s captain abuses his power to discipline the crew. After a few shipmates die from the punishments, the captain’s second hand man decides to take a stand and overthrow the captain’s power.
This film exemplifies the studio system at its finest. It’s big budget allowed for expensive location shooting, a large cast, and amazing production design. These are the things that make the film memorable, at least more than, say, the actors or the script.
In the Loop (2009)
Mar 25th
Starring: Peter Capaldi, Tom Hollander, James Gandolfini
Director: Armando Iannucci
Country: UK
Genre: Comedy
The Office meets Dr. Strangelove.
The above statement pretty much sums up this film to a T. Perhaps throw in a bit of Aaron Sorkin’s inter-office/political character dynamics and you’re good to go. This is one hell of a funny film. It’s quick, it’s witty, it’s clever, but it’s never above a good phallic Washington Monument joke. It does a great job creating a zany satire of the inner workings of both British and American government and the rat race that it can be. The actors are not to be understated, but the real brilliance of this movie is its super sharp script- not just in its hilarity, but in its complex multi-character narrative. The film doesn’t let up for a single minute in its pacing, making for a very quick and highly enjoyable watch.
Top 10 Animated Films of the 2000s
Mar 17th
Over the last decade animated films have taken a turn from generic children fare to films the entire family can enjoy. This is no doubt attributed to the ultra success of Pixar and the black magic they weave over audiences. But we’ve also seen an increase in serious animations released in the last ten years. Films like Persepolis and Waltz with Bashir; both personal tales of finding one’s identity amongst a world at war. Or there are the gothic tales of 9 or Coraline to stir up scary images in your mind before you go to bed. And then there’s a few just for a great laugh, like Shrek or Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
Whatever the case, there’s something for everyone. Animation has officially become accepted among all ages as a valid form of entertainment, and in quite a few cases it ends up being a bit more successful than their live action counterparts at cementing a lasting relationship with an audience. If you had asked me in the year 2000 whether or not there would be any animated films in my best of list at the end of the decade, I may or may not have said yes, but could never have guessed there’d be this many amazing masterpieces.
Without further ado, the top 10 animated films from 2000 – 2009:
*Note: films listed chronologically and are subject to change.
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Monsters, Inc. is my go-to example of what the perfect voice casting/acting can do to enhance an animated film. Often times a celebrity voice can be distracting, but every voice is so well suited in this film that it leaves no room for doubt that these characters actually do exist in the dark places when we’re asleep. Of course when you’re dealing with the comedic talent of Billy Crystal and John Goodman, your job is halfway done. The film is the perfect blend of heartwarming moments and exciting action.
