In honor of 2012, let”s look back at some of the best films from the previous 12 years. Here”s my vote for the top 12 movies made between 2000 and 2011:
12. “Sideways” (2004)
This movie from director/co-writer Alexander Payne paved the way for dozens of successful small-budget dramedies that followed in an era dominated by independent films. It was engaging, funny and heartfelt, and had a memorable ending (or non-ending depending on your point-of-view).
11. “Walk the Line” (2005)
Biopics about musicians were big during the middle part of last decade and none were better than James Mangold”s look into the lives of Johnny and June Carter Cash. The lead actors were phenomenal (Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar), the song sequences superb and the story heart-wrenching.
10. “Love Actually” (2003)
Quite possibly the best romantic comedy of the last 25 years. British writer/director Richard Curtis exquisitely interwove more than a handful of relationship storylines. When you add in an exceptional ensemble cast, a great soundtrack and some unforgettable on-screen situations, you get an awesomely entertaining movie.
9. “The Queen” (2006)
It”s very difficult to make a great movie centering on a real-life event almost everybody remembers. “The Queen” managed to exceed expectations by creating a fictionalized account of the Royal Family”s reaction to Princess Diana”s death. Helen Mirren”s portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II was one of the best performances of this century.
8. “No Country for Old Men” (2007)
Joel and Ethan Coen finally got the masses to love one of their films (even though some didn”t like that the climax happened off screen). The three main actors were outstanding, with none more memorable than Javier Bardem, who won an Oscar for his chilling role as the villain with an infamous hairdo.
7. “The Hangover” (2009)
Really, the best comedy of its era (and one of the greatest R-rated comedies ever). Audiences flocked at record numbers, and the movie obliged with countless laugh-out-loud moments. Plus it earned a Best Motion Picture award at the Golden Globes.
6. “Chicago” (2002)
Filmmakers revived the musical genre during the 2000s and “Chicago” was at the top of the class. It awed moviegoers with elaborate dance numbers and well-known actors with unexpected range. Rob Marshall”s masterpiece won the Academy Award for Best Picture (the first musical to do so since the ”60s).
5. “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001)
Peter Jackson”s trilogy ruled the first part of last decade, but the initial installment was supreme. “The Fellowship” best combined good acting, special effects and storytelling – the second movie seemed too dull and the third was just too long.
4. “There Will Be Blood” (2007)
Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson”s work about oil and greed wowed primarily because of Daniel Day-Lewis” timeless lead performance.
But the movie also used sound better than any other of its era. And of course, it had a great bowling-alley scene and an all-time one-liner, “I drink your milkshake.”
3. “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006)
The dark comedy was probably the most endearing film of the timeframe. While the lead actors were solid, “Sunshine” truly benefited from strong supporting efforts by young Abigail Breslin and veteran Alan Arkin (who won an Oscar). You”ll never think about family road trips, youth beauty pageants or “Super Freak” the same way again.
2. “Inglourious Basterds” (2009)
Leave it to Quentin Tarantino to create the most entertaining Nazi-hunting movie ever made. Brad Pitt and his title crew drew audience members into their quest of “killing Nazis.” But Christoph Waltz, a relative unknown at the time, stole the show as “The Jew Hunter.” Each storyline featured funny, dramatic and intense moments. Simply unforgettable.
1. “Million Dollar Baby” (2004)
Clint Eastwood”s greatest non-Western work had it all: amazing acting (Oscars went to Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman), a riveting underdog story, a gut-wrenching climax, outstanding sports sequences and characters dealing with difficult problems. Eastwood starred as an aging boxing instructor who gets one last shot to coach a champion (Swank). The movie was almost indescribably brilliant. And it never hurts to have Freeman as a narrator.
Post any comments or reactions to my picks on Twitter, #JWalshTop12. Follow me (@JeremyDWalsh) to see the next dozen films on my list as well as my selection for the most underrated movie of each year.
Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. He earned a minor in cinema studies from American University (Washington, D.C.). He can be reached at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com.
