First of all, yes, I understand that 2000-2025 is actually 26 years, not a literal quarter century. But nobody does their "best of the decade" list at the start of the tenth year. So don't "well, actually" me.
As a consumer of movie culture, I've seen a lot of these lists and set out to make my own. I started by thinking I'd limit it to 25. I blew threw that pretty quickly. Next, I figured 50 might work? Then I had a little talk with myself that went roughly like this:
"This is your dumb blog. You are bound by no rules. You are master of all you survey. Also, your posts get roughly 150 hits, so none of this matters lol."
So here's what I ended up going with: I created a note on my phone and just started adding titles as they came to me, the slam dunks first. Then I went through my DVD collection (physical media making a huge comeback, don't @ me) and read through my end-of-decade blogs from 2010 and 2020, and listened to a couple of my favorite movie podcasts. I finally decided on a thoroughly scientific methodology for which films I would include. I am only listing movies that I love. Not "like a lot" or have seen a bunch of times. Films that I'm evangelical about.
I compare it to music. There are songs I really like but have heard so often that I still might hit "skip" if they came up on a playlist. Then there are songs I love, and every time one of them comes on, I get pumped and will listen to it from beginning to end. So this is like that, but for movies. Got it? I put in zero effort into coming up with a numerologically (that's a real word; I looked it up) pleasing amount of films. I just did the list, pruned a bit here and there, divided them into categories, and voila. I ended up with 61 movies, which only means something to Roger Maris stans. I didn't spend a lot of time on individual rankings, although they are generally ranked top to bottom under the genres I've created.
Ok, got all that? In the immortal words of The Dark Knight (one of my toughest cuts- I just don't vibe with the third act), 
Raise Your Glass
These films are all capital "A" auteur masterpieces. Masters of the craft working at the highest level. These films will stand the rest of time as being important documents of the form.
There Will Be Blood (2007) 
This is the best film of the 2000s. Daniel Day Lewis' bravura performance rightly gets the most attention in Paul Thomas Anderson's scathing examination of American capitalism, but on numerous re-watches what stands out is how funny this movie is. If you've only seen it once (or God forbid, not at all), you're really missing out. Gorgeous, both visually and sonically.
This is the best film of the 2000s. Daniel Day Lewis' bravura performance rightly gets the most attention in Paul Thomas Anderson's scathing examination of American capitalism, but on numerous re-watches what stands out is how funny this movie is. If you've only seen it once (or God forbid, not at all), you're really missing out. Gorgeous, both visually and sonically.
Get Out (2017)
You don't need me to tell you why Get Out is a modern classic. So let me pivot to Jordan Peele's second effort, Us, instead. It didn't make my list, because the third act has either too much or not enough exposition. However, it's a much more traditional horror film than Get Out, and it's got some of the scariest scenes of any film from this era. Nope did not do much for me, but I'm willing to revisit that opinion.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).png)
A sublime comedic farce that is woefully misinterpreted by some of the worst bros to ever bro (including Jordan Belfort himself?). Martin Scorsese has made an arguably top-10 film in every decade since the '70s, which is kinda nuts when you stop and think about it.
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25th Hour (2002)
Released just 15 months after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and it feels both very of the moment but also incredibly timeless. Probably the most criminally overlooked work of both Spike Lee and Ed Norton's careers. Phillip Seymour Hoffman doing PSH things. A spiritual sequel to Do the Right Thing in many ways.
Sinners (2025)
Obviously by far the most recent film on this list, but a movie I liked even more the second time I saw it. Come for the fangs, music, and sexy people. Stay for the social commentary that you don't even need to pick up to enjoy the flick (ooooh wait, the REAL vampires are...).
Applause
Let's celebrate the good ol' fashioned cinematic blockbuster. Movies that remind you why popcorn and your local theater remain undefeated. We used to make things in this country, dammit.
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
There was a lot of hype for this going back months (years?) prior to its release, and then 9/11 happened, and everyone was in a state of shock, and then the movie came out that December, and it was about as far from the real world as anything could be, and it was perfect, and "THOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!" still bangs.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Speaking of hype, hoooo boy. J.J. Abrams only had to revive one of the most successful franchises of all time after three entries that ranged from "pretty good, I guess" to "my eyes are bleeding" by its original creator. It's easy to forget now after two lesser sequels (I still really like Last Jedi; Rise of Skywalker is one of the most cynical, vapid films ever made and should be buried in a lead-enclosed vault deep in the earth and never spoken of again), but Force Awakens was something like a miracle when it debuted.
There was a lot of hype for this going back months (years?) prior to its release, and then 9/11 happened, and everyone was in a state of shock, and then the movie came out that December, and it was about as far from the real world as anything could be, and it was perfect, and "THOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!" still bangs.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Almost certainly a better film than its '80s decade-defining predecessor. I'll never forget the review that then my not even 10-year-old daughter Rory gave this transcendent sequel as we giddily left the theater: "I loved that movie. I understood what was going on the whole time!"
Dunkirk (2017)
It's the only Christoper Nolan movie on my list, because I find it to be his most flawless effort. Yeah, he gets a bit cute with the time framing device, but it actually works, unlike in some of his other films, which are often inscrutable. Also, "He's on me!" followed by Tom Hardy's taciturn growl, "I'm on him" is one of my favorite moments in any war film ever.
The Martian (2015)
Speaking of director hot takes, buckle up, cuz here's a doozy: This is my favorite Ridley Scott film. I obviously LIKE a lot of his others, including Gladiator, which I'm sure would be on most people's lists. But all of them feel at least a tad overrated and overwrought, including Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise, etc. This flick is a just a straightforward gritty sci-fi classic that isn't afraid to show its work, headlined by an absolute murderer's row of a cast.
Star Trek (2009)
Before he rebooted Star Wars, JJ got its cultural rival and predecessor back on track, replete with lots of his signature lens flares. The movie has a its quibbles, but the first scene is absolutely unassailable, and it generally never lags. The second one is quite good also; the third is a snooze fest.
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)
Sports movies were a staple of the '80s when I was growing up. The 21st century has been kind of dearth. Most people would say that 2000's Remember the Titans is probably the signature sports film of the century so far. Most people are wrong. Here are five that are better.
Goon (2011)
Perhaps the best argument for "streaming is good for movies, actually." If this had a theatrical release, it was fleeting. I discovered it on Netflix and have proceeded to watch it probably five times, often converting the unaware into the cult of Doug Glatt, who is like a sweeter version of Happy Gilmore, if Happy stuck to hockey. If you've seen and liked Slapshot and haven't seen this, what are you even doing with your life?
Creed (2015)
Congrats to Ryan Coogler, the first director to be awarded two spots on this list (see Sinners). I'm sure he's ecstatic. There's no way this movie should've worked, and apparently Sylvester Stallone was also initially skeptical. Here comes another scalding take: This is the best film in the Rocky franchise. Yes, the first won best picture, and I'll always have a soft spot for Rock winning the Cold War in IV. But Coogler+MBJ is an unbeatable elixir, and Sly almost won the Oscar. 'Nuff said.
Young Woman and the Sea (2024)
This movie came out in the summer and made $500,000 domestically. I took my daughter and her friend to see it, so we made up roughly 5% of the people in this country who watched it in the theater (I'm pretty sure that's correct; I'm not good with math). This is absolutely the best movie that most people have access to that they haven't watched (it was made for Disney +). Based on a true story that you almost certainly have never heard about, it's an old-fashioned throwback that absolutely earns its tears. About 10 times a better sports movie than Titans.
Miracle (2004)
Oh, hey! Another Disney flick based on a true story that's much better (and much more actually true) than Titans (I actually think that movie is fine, but it has become a foil of the blog at this point, and I'm just running with it). Watch the game film of the actual contest, and watch how it's presented in this film- it's just about a mirror. Then there's Kurt Russell's pregame locker room speech which I've quoted roughly 1,000 times in the past 20 years: "If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight." Chills.
Oh, hey! Another Disney flick based on a true story that's much better (and much more actually true) than Titans (I actually think that movie is fine, but it has become a foil of the blog at this point, and I'm just running with it). Watch the game film of the actual contest, and watch how it's presented in this film- it's just about a mirror. Then there's Kurt Russell's pregame locker room speech which I've quoted roughly 1,000 times in the past 20 years: "If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game. Not tonight." Chills.
Warrior (2011)
I don't watch MMA. I find it base and barbaric, and its hardcore fans are usually...not people I generally associate with, to put it nicely. But this movie transcends all that. It probably helps that I don't nitpick the plot at all, as my unfamiliarity with the sport renders me unable. All I know is that the end has me weeping and wishing I had a brother.
Love is Embarrassing
Romance is definitely not my genre of choice, but I unreservedly adore this quartet of lovelorn losers. Is it a coincidence that all four of them focus on the travails of a male protagonist? Reader, it is not!
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
This was my favorite movie of the aughts, and even though I haven't seen it in a while, I still quote it liberally. Whether I'm doing the Dracula voice, or singing to myself "Oh the weather outside is weather," or dissing someone by saying "I was going to listen to/read/watch that, but then, um, I just carried on living my life," I return to it fairly regularly. This is the ideal Judd Apatow movie, in that it's not actually directed by Judd Apatow and therefore lacks the bloat that downgrades the majority of his otherwise hilarious flicks.
High Fidelity (2000)
One of the rare times when the movie actually lives up to the book. Not only that, but this is also a spiritual sequel to one of my all-time faves, Say Anything. What if Lloyd Dobbler grew up and turned into kind of a cynical prick (it happens)? It also launched Jack Black, who is one of the few stars currently beloved by multiple generations.
Before Sunset (2004)
Speaking of sequels, here's one of the rare instances where the second installment outshines the first (and I like the first a lot). The fact that it came out nine years after Before Sunrise meant that many people forgot about the saga of American Jesse and Parisian Celine, despite the fact that the first film ends on a huge cliffhanger: Will they meet up again six months later, as they promise each other? Not only does Sunset provide a satisfying answer, but it moves the relationship forward in a believable and compelling manner, all over the course of 80 minutes spent in an afternoon in Paris. The final scene (and closing line) is sublime.
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
The leads. The soundtrack. The director. I was convinced that first time helmer Marc Webb would be the next big thing. Then he went on to make the two most mediocre Spider-Man movies. Sigh. This film is still a delight, and even if all it did was introduce the music of Regina Spektor to the world, that would be enough. The fact that it catches Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel at their absolute adorkable apexes puts it over the top.
Superman (Taylor's Version)
Comic book movies (especially the MCU) have dominated this century. In the past five or six (but not six or seven, please God) years, fatigue has set in, as the quantity pretty clearly began to outstrip the quality. I'm not a reader of graphic novels, but I'm here for superheroes on screen, if they're done well. Here are my five favorites:
Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Up there with Aliens and T2 as sequels that top the very good originals, this flick has held up wonderfully. My son John (15) was viewing it on his own the other day, and I was ostensibly doing other things but really just watching over his shoulder for the majority of the film. The elevated train scene is the best superhero scene ever, narrowly edging the truck flip in The Dark Knight, which...why didn't that make my list, again?
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Sometimes superhero movies don't remember the number one thing they're supposed to be: FUN. Ryan Reynold's Deadpool never forgets that for one second. Throw in the character's signature hilarious raunch, and you've got a rewatchable classic. The second one is pretty good; Deadpool vs. Wolverine isn't even really a proper movie, but it felt like an oasis in sea of crap, so we all pretended it was great. It's not.
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Sometimes superhero movies don't remember the number one thing they're supposed to be: FUN. Ryan Reynold's Deadpool never forgets that for one second. Throw in the character's signature hilarious raunch, and you've got a rewatchable classic. The second one is pretty good; Deadpool vs. Wolverine isn't even really a proper movie, but it felt like an oasis in sea of crap, so we all pretended it was great. It's not.
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The Big Bang of the MCU is still a blast to revisit. Once RDJ tells Rhody "You're in the fun-vee. The hum-drum-vee is back there," I'm hooked. A good example of less-is-more storytelling. One origin story, one villain, one nearly perfect film that's held up extremely well.
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The Big Bang of the MCU is still a blast to revisit. Once RDJ tells Rhody "You're in the fun-vee. The hum-drum-vee is back there," I'm hooked. A good example of less-is-more storytelling. One origin story, one villain, one nearly perfect film that's held up extremely well.
Avengers: Infinity War (2008)
I know that most prefer the triumph of Endgame, but give me the futility and melancholy of this one, which has Empire Strikes Back vibes. At the end of this film, anything seemed possible. I enjoyed Endgame, but nothing about it surprised me in the slightest, plus after its release the MCU immediately lost its way and largely hasn't recovered.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Again, a bit of a swerve here. The first Guardians is a lot of fun, but the plot is incomprehensible. The third is great but a little too much emo raccoon for me. This one hits my sweet spot. It's funny as hell, it's thrilling, has Kurt Russell, and Yondu's Ravager funeral at the end makes me well up, perhaps even more than in Spider-Man 2 when the passengers pass an unconscious and mask-less Peter Parker to safety.
I Love You; I'm Sorry
These three films can be tough to revisit because of their bleakness. But if you're in the mood to wallow in melancholy, or maybe you're just trying to prove to yourself you're not completely dead inside, you can't do much better than this trio of weepies.
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
An absolute tour-de-force of grief, trauma, and two of the best acting performances you'll ever take in by Michelle Williams and Casey Affleck. I won't spoil the film, but let's just say that from the beginning it's clear that Affleck's character is irreparably damaged, and lets that play out until a flashback in the middle of the film where you find out why, and it...is...awful. Most people are like "Seen it once, I'm good!," but I am drawn to its tragic spell (and also moments of much-needed levity).
The Florida Project (2017)
I've been hyping this lovely little indie for years, and will ya look at that: Director Sean Baker just won a buttload of Oscars for helming Anora (which I liked fine but am not likely to revisit). The end of this film absolutely wrecks me every time I watch it. The way six-year-old Moonee puts her fingers in her mouth and sobs "Bye!" to her friend as she's being ripped away from the only home she knows, a budget motel a few miles from Disney World, is gut-wrenching.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
This definitely could've gone in at the top under the "masterpieces" category, but I felt like I needed one more to fill out this section. I re-watched this recently and was struck by how little it has aged, since it's essentially a period piece. The cinematography, score, and actors are all gorgeous. That last scene with Ledger going back to Gyllenhaal's house and finding the shirt is tear-inducing perfection.
Happier Than Ever
Happier Than Ever
Out of all the genres, comedy is the one that ages in the most complicated ways. There are terms and themes that were hilarious at the time and are now cringe-worthy at best (there's a reason you can't find Revenge of the Nerds streaming anywhere). These are the comedies from this era I return to most often. Before anybody asks if I forgot about Superbad, that's one of those "like a lot but don't love" flicks for me.
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
If the measure of a classic comedy is how often you re-quote it, then Anchorman wins by a landslide. Steve Carrell's dimwit weatherman Brick is the guy who jumps out on first viewing, but the character I find myself parroting most often these days is Paul Rudd's Brian Fantana: "60% of the time it works every time" is almost exactly my understanding of how math works. There may not be a better line for an overconfident, ignorant white guy than, "She was Brazilian...or Chinese...or...something weird." Allow me to be the first blogger in history to compare this flick and Brokeback, both set in the fairly recent past with just enough room for hindsight that doesn't allow the movie to age.
Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
And now I go ahead and contradict myself with a comedy that has aged for the worse, between people's outdated impressions of Sacha Baron Cohen's lovable anti-Semite, peak Pamela Anderson (who's having a renaissance!) and the George Bush, Jr. slams. Still, I have never laughed harder in a movie theater, and that has to count for something.
And now I go ahead and contradict myself with a comedy that has aged for the worse, between people's outdated impressions of Sacha Baron Cohen's lovable anti-Semite, peak Pamela Anderson (who's having a renaissance!) and the George Bush, Jr. slams. Still, I have never laughed harder in a movie theater, and that has to count for something.
Step Brothers (2008)
I was late to this one. Didn't see it in the theater. But this is the epitome of a movie you can stumble across on cable (or throw in the DVD), and you'll always have a good time, no matter what moment you start from. The juvenile high jinks and banter of the two arrested development leads is the stuff of legends. And somehow then-unknown Kathryn Hahn nearly steals the film. The karaoke carpool of "Sweet Child of Mine" gets me every time.
I was late to this one. Didn't see it in the theater. But this is the epitome of a movie you can stumble across on cable (or throw in the DVD), and you'll always have a good time, no matter what moment you start from. The juvenile high jinks and banter of the two arrested development leads is the stuff of legends. And somehow then-unknown Kathryn Hahn nearly steals the film. The karaoke carpool of "Sweet Child of Mine" gets me every time.
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There's a pretty decent argument to be made that this is the female Superbad, right down to the casting of Jonah Hill's sister Beanie Feldstein. To that I say...so what? This is the movie I enjoy revisiting more often. Dever and Feldstein's chemistry is just as good as Cera and Hill's. I love so many little moments of this film, such as right from the start where Amy picks up Molly for the last day of school, and they do their little dances in the middle of the street. There's nothing as memeable as McLovin, but the unhinged mania of Billie Lourd (Carrie Fischer's daughter!) as Gigi pushes it over the top for me.
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21 Jump Street (2012)
How great is this movie? You literally don't even have to know the source material exists to enjoy it (although the Hanson and Penhall cameo near the end is cool surprise). Having the two undercover agents switch identities (because Channing Tatum's Jenko is too dense to recall his fake name) is a genius twist. Ice Cube as the no-nonsense captain is God-level casting. The sequel is fine, I think?
How great is this movie? You literally don't even have to know the source material exists to enjoy it (although the Hanson and Penhall cameo near the end is cool surprise). Having the two undercover agents switch identities (because Channing Tatum's Jenko is too dense to recall his fake name) is a genius twist. Ice Cube as the no-nonsense captain is God-level casting. The sequel is fine, I think?
Super Troopers (2001)
This is the movie I watched the most times at the start of the new millennium, narrowly edging Zoolander, which somehow didn't make my list. The first 30 minutes or so are absolute comedic gold, even if it goes off the rails near the end. It probably made my list because on my 45th birthday, during the midst of the pandemic, my neighbors and I set up a TV in my driveway and watched it together; we hooted and guffawed the whole way through.
This is the movie I watched the most times at the start of the new millennium, narrowly edging Zoolander, which somehow didn't make my list. The first 30 minutes or so are absolute comedic gold, even if it goes off the rails near the end. It probably made my list because on my 45th birthday, during the midst of the pandemic, my neighbors and I set up a TV in my driveway and watched it together; we hooted and guffawed the whole way through.
Party in the U.S.A.
These are all great American films with plenty to say about this effed-up nation of ours that fall one notch short of "masterpiece," but they're all modern classics in my book.
Hell or High Water (2016)
Before Taylor Sheridan became the Bard of Paramount Plus with his myriad neo-western t.v. series, he penned his American Frontier Trilogy (the other entries are Sicario and Wind River, which also rule, especially the former) with this middle installment qualifying as one of my top films of the era. It's a polemic about rural capitalism disguised as a heist movie and features an absolutely live wire performance by Ben Foster. The quiet-but-crackling showdown between Jeff Bridges' seasoned lawman and Chris Pine's guilty-but-can't-be-caught taciturn everyman that closes the film is perfection.
Training Day (2001)
Denzel Washington rightly gets the attention for his signature "King Kong" performance, but the movie doesn't work without Ethan Hawke's naive enthusiasm that curdles when met with the toxic reality of one single day on the job. I can't imagine a situation where someone would say, "Hey, let's watch Training Day," and I wouldn't be down to do just that.
The Departed (2006)
Is this Scorsese's best film? No. Is it without glaring flaws, including a bizarre late-career performance from Jack Nicholson? Also no. Is it fun as hell? Fam, it is wicked fun. Memorable lines and performances abound. I would absolutely kill to see a version of this movie where Damon and DiCaprio switch roles. That would be wicked awesome.
Is this Scorsese's best film? No. Is it without glaring flaws, including a bizarre late-career performance from Jack Nicholson? Also no. Is it fun as hell? Fam, it is wicked fun. Memorable lines and performances abound. I would absolutely kill to see a version of this movie where Damon and DiCaprio switch roles. That would be wicked awesome.
The Town (2010)
Oh look! Another Boston crime movie. This film slots in right along fellow heist flick Hall-of-Famers like Heat and Point Break. Ben Affleck's follow up to his terrific freshman effort Gone Baby Gone cemented him as one of the best directors of this century (his third film, Argo, won Best Picture). I've seen The Departed more often, but if you asked me right now which gangster film where spoken o's become ah's I'd like to watch, I'd tell you to throw on The Town.
Almost Famous (2000)
Cameron Crowe's last great (even good?) film. I knew this was at least partly based on his real-life experiences as a precocious young writer. I read his new memoir over winter break, and if anything the movie under plays the craziness of his immersion into the inner sanctums of several rock gods. The Allman Brothers are quite clearly the basis for the depiction of the fictional Stillwater in the film, but his long-term relationship with David Bowie was the highlight of the book for me.
Michael Clayton (2007)
In any other film, star George Clooney's Oscar-nominated performance as the titular smooth-but-conflicted lawyer ("I'm not the guy you kill. I'm the guy you buy") would win the movie. But Tilda Swinton's ruthless, icy turn as an avatar for greedy, unethical corporate America (for which she won the Oscar) dominates the film. It's hard to believe this is Tony Gilroy's first directorial effort- it's so assured and sleek. Not a dull moment nor a minute wasted.
In any other film, star George Clooney's Oscar-nominated performance as the titular smooth-but-conflicted lawyer ("I'm not the guy you kill. I'm the guy you buy") would win the movie. But Tilda Swinton's ruthless, icy turn as an avatar for greedy, unethical corporate America (for which she won the Oscar) dominates the film. It's hard to believe this is Tony Gilroy's first directorial effort- it's so assured and sleek. Not a dull moment nor a minute wasted.
The Big Short (2015).png)
If you've been paying close attention (you haven't), you might've noticed that this is now Adam McKay's third entry (Anchorman, Step Brothers) on this list. Perhaps only an auteur so adept at comedy could make something as dry and complex as the causes for the 2008 financial collapse so damn entertaining. Sure, Margot Robbie explaining sub-prime mortgages in the bathtub stands out, but to me the scene that illustrates the crisis so succinctly is when Steve Carell's gang are interviewing Vegas strippers, and one confesses concern over what the drop in real estate value could mean for her "five houses and one condo."
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If you've been paying close attention (you haven't), you might've noticed that this is now Adam McKay's third entry (Anchorman, Step Brothers) on this list. Perhaps only an auteur so adept at comedy could make something as dry and complex as the causes for the 2008 financial collapse so damn entertaining. Sure, Margot Robbie explaining sub-prime mortgages in the bathtub stands out, but to me the scene that illustrates the crisis so succinctly is when Steve Carell's gang are interviewing Vegas strippers, and one confesses concern over what the drop in real estate value could mean for her "five houses and one condo."
Come and Get It
Sometimes you just wanna suspend disbelief and watch an unrealistically attractive, agile, aggrieved hero kick rich amounts of ass. These films represent the best installments of four of the five signature action franchises of the 2000s (I'm not really a fan of the Fast movies; although, they have their moments).
John Wick (2014)
Let's give Keanu Reeves his flowers. Dude has four signature action roles (Point Break, Speed, Matrix, Wick). The last two have basically re-written the genre. Never claps back when people rag on his lesser/miscast performances. Just seems like an incredible hang. This flick absolutely rocks, and "Russian gangsters killed the dog my dead wife got me" is about as good as it gets as far as motives go.
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
Gun to head (no pun intended), I'd say this is my favorite of the Wick films. The overall consistency of this franchise is incredible; the worst of them, Chapter 3, is still a solid B. This one is an A/A+. There are like four different scenes that have me saying "How is this happening???" in the best possible way. It closes with a hugely satisfying face off between Wick and Bill Skarsgard, best known for portraying Pennywise the clown. No notes.
The Bourne Identity (2002)
It's hard to recall it now, five films later, but this came out of pretty much nowhere. Matt Damon was still mostly known for his turn as misfit genius Will Hunting. There was zero indication he could carry an action flick. But the character's cerebral nature plays to his strengths, as does the way Bourne uses tactics and improvisation in fight scenes instead of relying on pure strength and brawn. Director Doug Liman's kinetic style unlocked new possibilities for the more grounded way super spies could be depicted, which led to...
It's hard to recall it now, five films later, but this came out of pretty much nowhere. Matt Damon was still mostly known for his turn as misfit genius Will Hunting. There was zero indication he could carry an action flick. But the character's cerebral nature plays to his strengths, as does the way Bourne uses tactics and improvisation in fight scenes instead of relying on pure strength and brawn. Director Doug Liman's kinetic style unlocked new possibilities for the more grounded way super spies could be depicted, which led to...
Casino Royale (2006)
The Bond franchise wasn't quite in crisis, perhaps, at the end of the Pierce Brosnan run, but it was in desperate need of reinvention. I mean, the last couple featured an invisible car and Denise Richards as a nuclear scientist, so a dose of gritty reality was the splash of cold water to the face that 007 desperately needed. Enter Daniel Craig's gruff, physical, haunted Bond, along with practical stunts such as the thrilling parkour scene that opens this film. Skyfall is also great, but this remains my favorite Bond film. Not just of the era: of the entire franchise.
Mission: Impossible III (2006)
I've seen this movie dismissed often with some version of "Yeah, Phillip Seymour Hoffman's a great villain, but the rest of it's just ok." To which I say: IT'S A MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE MOVIE WITH PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN AS THE VILLAIN." The plots of these flicks are irrelevant. They're exactly as enjoyable as how good the set pieces/villains are (which is why the final two are such a slog). This one has a crackling opening scene that kills off Kerry Russell, which emotionally impacts the rest of the film. The bridge shootout/extraction is one of the franchise's best scenes, it introduces Ethan's love interest (Michelle Monaghan), which actually pays off a few movies down the line, and IT HAS PSH AS THE VILLAIN. It's the second-best M:I film, behind...
I've seen this movie dismissed often with some version of "Yeah, Phillip Seymour Hoffman's a great villain, but the rest of it's just ok." To which I say: IT'S A MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE MOVIE WITH PHILLIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN AS THE VILLAIN." The plots of these flicks are irrelevant. They're exactly as enjoyable as how good the set pieces/villains are (which is why the final two are such a slog). This one has a crackling opening scene that kills off Kerry Russell, which emotionally impacts the rest of the film. The bridge shootout/extraction is one of the franchise's best scenes, it introduces Ethan's love interest (Michelle Monaghan), which actually pays off a few movies down the line, and IT HAS PSH AS THE VILLAIN. It's the second-best M:I film, behind...
Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)
So many incredible moments, from the actual HALO jump Tom Cruise performs, to Henry Cavill "cocking" his arms before the brutal bathroom fight, to Tom pumping those little legs and arms across the rooftops of Paris, to the final scene where Cruise learned to fly a helicopter to perform, this is peak Mission: Impossible. Plus Monaghan returns, lending the film actual emotional stakes. Perfection that the last two films struggled to replicate but could not come near.
So many incredible moments, from the actual HALO jump Tom Cruise performs, to Henry Cavill "cocking" his arms before the brutal bathroom fight, to Tom pumping those little legs and arms across the rooftops of Paris, to the final scene where Cruise learned to fly a helicopter to perform, this is peak Mission: Impossible. Plus Monaghan returns, lending the film actual emotional stakes. Perfection that the last two films struggled to replicate but could not come near.
The Man
I hate admitting that Quentin Tarantino is one of my favorite filmmakers, because it's such a cliche for a middle-aged white guy...but here we are. These movies rip and are a blast to revisit every couple years.
Inglorious Basterds (2009)
I have a distinct memory of watching QT's magnum opus for the first time under less-than-ideal circumstances: On a tiny iPod (NOT phone, pod) screen with headphones in while I attempted to bottle feed picky newborn John. I remember being mesmerized by that opening scene set in "French cow country" and asking myself "who is this?" in reference to Christoph Waltz's captivating portrayal of "Jew hunter" Hans Landa. I've since watched that opening dozens more times (and on much bigger screens), and I never get sick of it, nor of the scene in the restaurant with the strudel, nor with the basement rendezvous, nor with the way Lanza taunts Brad Pitt and his fellow basterds, forcing them to repeat shaky pronunciations of their faux Italian monikers. I wanna watch it again right now.
I have a distinct memory of watching QT's magnum opus for the first time under less-than-ideal circumstances: On a tiny iPod (NOT phone, pod) screen with headphones in while I attempted to bottle feed picky newborn John. I remember being mesmerized by that opening scene set in "French cow country" and asking myself "who is this?" in reference to Christoph Waltz's captivating portrayal of "Jew hunter" Hans Landa. I've since watched that opening dozens more times (and on much bigger screens), and I never get sick of it, nor of the scene in the restaurant with the strudel, nor with the basement rendezvous, nor with the way Lanza taunts Brad Pitt and his fellow basterds, forcing them to repeat shaky pronunciations of their faux Italian monikers. I wanna watch it again right now.
Kill Bill, Volume 1 (2003)
I'm not one of those who journeyed to the multiplex a couple weeks ago to watch the entire saga, uncut (I own both on DVD and treasure bathroom/drink breaks). Obviously, it's not a complete story without the second volume, but I prefer the slicker and more action-packed punch of this one. This movie just hums, and the culminating showdown with the Crazy 88's is one of the best fight scenes ever committed to celluloid.
Once Upon a Time...In Hollywood (2019)
A close cousin of the alt-history Basterds, this film has a tougher task. Sure, everyone enjoys the idea of gunning down Hitler, but how do you go back in time to foil the Mansons without making a mockery of the tragedy? QT pulls it off, putting his foot fetish on great display while lamenting the loss of innocence that was not only Sharon Tate but the entire aura of '60s hippiedom. Pitt won the Oscar, but for my money this is DiCaprio's best performance (cue the excitedly pointing at the screen meme).
A close cousin of the alt-history Basterds, this film has a tougher task. Sure, everyone enjoys the idea of gunning down Hitler, but how do you go back in time to foil the Mansons without making a mockery of the tragedy? QT pulls it off, putting his foot fetish on great display while lamenting the loss of innocence that was not only Sharon Tate but the entire aura of '60s hippiedom. Pitt won the Oscar, but for my money this is DiCaprio's best performance (cue the excitedly pointing at the screen meme).
Die Young
Horror is, and has been since I was a tween, my favorite genre. I love horror movies the way MAGA loves to blame all of the country's problems on immigrants. I will comb endlessly through the bowels of Shudder looking for unearthed gems that might scare me silly. There are a few obscure titles (shout-out 2024's Oddity, for instance) that might've made my list, but I'm trying to keep this list as mainstream and accessible as possible.
Speak No Evil (2022)
And then I'll break that rule right away lol. This isn't just my favorite horror movie of the 2020s; this might be my favorite movie of the 2020s, full stop. Note that this is the original Danish production, not the neutered American version from 2024. This is NOT foreign film snobbery; I prefer the American versions of both Let Me In and Funny Games, for example. The last 15 minutes of this film are about as terrifying and unsettling as anything I've ever seen; the James McAvoy version mostly sticks to being a remake and then pulls its punches at the end. If you have the guts, seek out and fire up the original (it's in English; you don't even have to read).
The Ring (2002)
See! Here's what I'm talking about. This American remake is better than the Japanese original, imo. It's either this or The Blair Witch Project for the most scared I've been in a movie theater as an adult (The Dark Crystal takes the cake for childhood...seriously how is that a kids' movie?). When Samara crawls out of the t.v. at the end (23-year-old spoiler alert!), I was on the verge of wetting myself. I wish Gore Verbinski hadn't wasted his time and talent making those lame-ass Pirates of the Caribbean movies after this.
See! Here's what I'm talking about. This American remake is better than the Japanese original, imo. It's either this or The Blair Witch Project for the most scared I've been in a movie theater as an adult (The Dark Crystal takes the cake for childhood...seriously how is that a kids' movie?). When Samara crawls out of the t.v. at the end (23-year-old spoiler alert!), I was on the verge of wetting myself. I wish Gore Verbinski hadn't wasted his time and talent making those lame-ass Pirates of the Caribbean movies after this.
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The opening act of this uniquely disturbing film is like its own little horror movie in and of itself. The fate of Florence Pough's family is horrifying but also at least somewhat conventional. The rest of the movie...is not that. Setting the entire grotesque affair in broad daylight is brilliant; we're so used to being afraid of what's obscured by darkness. The scene with the old people on the cliff face is one of the most "WHOA! Ok, I guess we're doing this!" moments of the century, and it doesn't let up from there.
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The opening act of this uniquely disturbing film is like its own little horror movie in and of itself. The fate of Florence Pough's family is horrifying but also at least somewhat conventional. The rest of the movie...is not that. Setting the entire grotesque affair in broad daylight is brilliant; we're so used to being afraid of what's obscured by darkness. The scene with the old people on the cliff face is one of the most "WHOA! Ok, I guess we're doing this!" moments of the century, and it doesn't let up from there.
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I grew up a huge fan of both the novel and the t.v. miniseries and figured Tim Curry's interpretation of Pennywise the Dancing Clown was definitive until the first scene of this movie came along, and Skarsgard's drooling menace blew it out of the water. It's too bad this isn't a standalone film; its reputation suffers somewhat by comparison to its necessary but beyond bloated (almost three hours long!) sequel. Still, moments like the slideshow in the garage never get old, as what happens to kids is inherently scarier than what happens to grownups.
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I grew up a huge fan of both the novel and the t.v. miniseries and figured Tim Curry's interpretation of Pennywise the Dancing Clown was definitive until the first scene of this movie came along, and Skarsgard's drooling menace blew it out of the water. It's too bad this isn't a standalone film; its reputation suffers somewhat by comparison to its necessary but beyond bloated (almost three hours long!) sequel. Still, moments like the slideshow in the garage never get old, as what happens to kids is inherently scarier than what happens to grownups.
Weapons (2025)
This movie had me absolutely vibrating when I left the theater. It's easily one of the most thrilling and funniest final scenes of any movie this decade, like the end of Ferris Bueller if it were...you know...possessed children chasing a witch instead. There's been a bit of a backlash to its initial acclaim, with some trying to dissect it as not being all that good. Those people can eat seven hot dogs each.
This movie had me absolutely vibrating when I left the theater. It's easily one of the most thrilling and funniest final scenes of any movie this decade, like the end of Ferris Bueller if it were...you know...possessed children chasing a witch instead. There's been a bit of a backlash to its initial acclaim, with some trying to dissect it as not being all that good. Those people can eat seven hot dogs each.
Sinister (2012)
This movie is like a greatest hits mashup of a bunch of horror movie tropes, and it works way better than that description sounds. The found footage the Ethan Hawke's character views over the course of the film is genuinely terrifying, and the conclusion is satisfying, even if it should seem obvious. Wanna know something creepy? The central act is a (nearly) entire family hanging from a tree in their backyard. Actor James Ransome portrays a hapless cop who fanboys over Hawke's writer character. A couple weeks ago, Ransome hung himself. True story. RIP.
Hereditary (2018)
One of those directorial debuts that announced a new master of the genre in Ari Aster. On any given day you could talk me into flipping this and Midsommar. Has there ever been a better instance of sound editing in a horror flick than the morning when Toni Collette goes out to her car to discover the headless corpse of her daughter while the camera focuses on the bedroom of her cowering older brother? The jump cut to the head on the side of the highway, covered in ants, is the chef's kiss.
One of those directorial debuts that announced a new master of the genre in Ari Aster. On any given day you could talk me into flipping this and Midsommar. Has there ever been a better instance of sound editing in a horror flick than the morning when Toni Collette goes out to her car to discover the headless corpse of her daughter while the camera focuses on the bedroom of her cowering older brother? The jump cut to the head on the side of the highway, covered in ants, is the chef's kiss.
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The best premises for horror films are often the most simple: There's a curse following the last person who had sex, in a chain that goes all the way up to...the sex demon, I guess? Don't think too hard about it, and ignore the clunky final scene, and this is a tense, unpredictable thrill ride. Since the demon(?) can take any form, we're in the same position as the characters, frantically searching the frame for that shambling, implacable evil that can only be stopped by passing the death sentence along to someone else.
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The best premises for horror films are often the most simple: There's a curse following the last person who had sex, in a chain that goes all the way up to...the sex demon, I guess? Don't think too hard about it, and ignore the clunky final scene, and this is a tense, unpredictable thrill ride. Since the demon(?) can take any form, we're in the same position as the characters, frantically searching the frame for that shambling, implacable evil that can only be stopped by passing the death sentence along to someone else.
All Too Well
Donnie Darko (2001)
It's a film that defies genre, so I just kinda threw it in here at the end. Here's a lengthy explanation of my theory about the film, if you've gotten this far. Many thanks if you have!
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