The final conclusion! The epic finish! I know you’ve been awake most nights just pondering what I possibly have to say about the films of the past decade. Well, now’s your chance to bask in the light of these films that seek your attention. Do it, and do it quickly. These films require your immediate attention.

25. Sideways
Hilarious buddy flick dramedy about wine country in northern California. The antics that Thomas Haden Church’s character put’s Paul Giamatti through are cinematic staples. Virginia Madsen is excellent as well.

24. Wall-E
Brilliant social commentary on the future of man through the eyes of an adorable little trash collecting robot named Wall-E. Pixar brings the yin to the yang with the sleek and dare I say (sexy) Eve as Wall-E’s love interest.

23. Little Miss Sunshine
Absolute wonderful mishmash of characters fuel this engaging story about trying to get a little girl to a beauty pageant in time. Performances shine all around.

22. The Departed
My favorite Scorsese film, The Departed has such a brilliant ensemble cast I can’t say enough about the performances. Make sure you see this film. Enough said.

21. Minority Report
The third best adaptation from a Phillip K. Dick story; Spielberg does justice to the concept and the visuals are top notch in a sci-fi action flick. Great twists and turns.

20. A History of Violence
Cronenberg turns the King of Middle Earth into the scariest killer since Edward Norton in American History X. Not only that, but there’s probably one of the most intensely disturbing controversial sex scenes filmed.

19. Memento
Nolan broke into the sub-mainstream with this brilliant mystery thriller about a man with no short term memory trying to figure out his wife’s killer told through a reverse narrative. A MUST see!

18. Zodiac
Fincher should have been nominated for this film instead of Benjamin Button as it shows his absolute brilliant visual style and gripping knack for crime-thrillers. Not as disturbing as Seven, but about tenfold the intrigue and mystery.

17. Pan’s Labyrinth
Del Toro’s dark visual style throughout keeps you on edge as you wonder what’s going to happen next. The contrast of reality and fantasy is blended excellently throughout the film.

16. Gran Torino
This is the Clint I want to see. The hilarious un-PC dialog he spouts reminds us not to take it so seriously and just enjoy the ride.

15. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Wonderful mixture of mythological fantasy and period piece combined. The choreographed action sequences are some of the best I’ve ever seen.

14. District 9
One of the most intriguing sci-fi films of the decade. Made on a tiny budget by Hollywood standards, the visuals and aliens do not disappoint and weaponry is probably the best I’ve ever seen since Aliens.

13. Hot Fuzz
Fantastic satire about the action movie genre, Hot Fuzz takes the humor of Shaun of the Dead and re-invents it for it’s own brilliant purposes. Edgar Wright needs to keep making films like this.

12. Kill Bill
Parts 1 and 2 are a sight to behold. The genre’s that blend in the Kill Bill films create an original (and I say this in a sense of twisting concepts to your own devices) take on the revenge story. I don’t care where the ideas came from, these film kicks ass.

11. Kung Fu Hustle
Why Stephen Chow isn’t a major player in Hollywood is beyond me as Kung Fu Hustle is one of the most wonderful and brilliant action satire/parodies I’ve ever seen.

10. Collateral
The reason I love Michael Mann is Collateral. Some of the best camera angles I’ve seen in a film. It even brings Tom Cruise out of his typical character formula and Jamie Foxx earned my respect.

9. Amelie
Audrey Tautou so absolutely adorable in Amelie that you will fall in love with this film. The visual and narrative style is so enjoyable that this film will be on your mind for weeks after viewing.

8. The Dark Knight
From the pace and soundtrack of the opening sequence you can tell this film is going to be an amazing ride. The supporting cast easily steals the show from the main event, particularly with Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker.

7. No Country For Old Men
Easily my favorite film from the Coen brothers, No Country For Old Men delivers as an intensely realistic thriller with no clear outcome. Javier Bardem’s villain is reminiscent of the Terminator as in he seems unstoppable. Brilliantly on edge from the get-go.

6. Inglorious Basterds
Initially I was annoyed by the premise of Basterds, but after viewing, it has become one of my top favorites of the decade. I guess I should just not doubt Tarantino and just accept that he’s going to take me on a trip I won’t forget.

5. Avatar
I waited over 10 years for James Cameron to deliver the most visually stunning film ever filmed in
film history. There I said it.

4. The Proposition
The absolute best “western” since Unforgiven takes place in the bleak wasteland of Australia.
Guy Pearce stars, but Ray Winstone steals the show with his conflicted profession as the police
Captain in charge of the region and the touching relationship with his wife, played by Emily Watson.

3. Apocalypto
Mel Gibson directs this emotionally powerful tale taking place in the heart of the Mayan civilization;
a subject matter rarely tackled. Everything seems to work well in this film from the visuals, the
plot, the characters and their arcs, the villains, and the costumes and sets just add to the epic
feel of the film.

2. Lord of the Rings
Find time to watch all three, back to back. Whether it’s one a day, or all in one day. LOTR is not
to be missed. Once you’ve witnessed the vast quality these three films brings to cinema, courtesy of Peter Jackson, it brings a new meaning to film making.

1. Children of Men
I cannot say enough great things about the masterfully made Children of Men from Alfonso Cuaron. There is a vast list of reasons why I would put it at the top of my list as the number one best
film of the past decade. Social commentary, realism, brilliant performances all around, most likely the best cinematography in film of the past decade, a thrilling and intense plot and a certain optimism through the bleak world that Cuaron takes us through. You cannot miss this absolute masterwork in cinema history.

Whether you agree with the order of this list or not, you cannot deny these films are masterfully made pieces of art from the last ten years. Hope you enjoyed the list.