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My personal list of favorites films of the past 20 years. In no particular order, except the first one, which is my all-time favorite.
And here...we...go....
And here...we...go....
1. The Lives of Others (2006).
Not only the greatest German film ever made, but one of the most sublime studies of heroism and self-sacrifice ever put on the screen. The heroism here is quiet and understated, but redemptive and life-changing. Not to be missed.
Not only the greatest German film ever made, but one of the most sublime studies of heroism and self-sacrifice ever put on the screen. The heroism here is quiet and understated, but redemptive and life-changing. Not to be missed.
2. Un Prophete (2009).
A crime drama so engaging, so realistic, that you can't take your eyes off the screen. An adrift young man is transformed from a petty crook into a mafia boss.
A crime drama so engaging, so realistic, that you can't take your eyes off the screen. An adrift young man is transformed from a petty crook into a mafia boss.
3. Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005).
An alienated young man involved in property scams finds redemption in his musical art. It sounds derivative, but director Jacques Audiard creates a fascinating character study. And Romain Duris delivers.
An alienated young man involved in property scams finds redemption in his musical art. It sounds derivative, but director Jacques Audiard creates a fascinating character study. And Romain Duris delivers.
4. Cache (2005)
This little-known French drama explores the poisonous consequences of abuse and guilt that span generations. A comfortable Parisian is confronted decades later by an Algerian man he abused as a child.
This little-known French drama explores the poisonous consequences of abuse and guilt that span generations. A comfortable Parisian is confronted decades later by an Algerian man he abused as a child.
5. Rec (2007)
A Spanish horror film that is executed flawlessly and has been endlessly imitated. The original "pandemic" movie. An outbreak occurs in an apartment building, forcing authorities to keep everyone in. But something else is in there with them.
A Spanish horror film that is executed flawlessly and has been endlessly imitated. The original "pandemic" movie. An outbreak occurs in an apartment building, forcing authorities to keep everyone in. But something else is in there with them.
6. Valhalla Rising (2009)
Nicholas Winding Refn delivers a strange, psychedelic, arthouse movie about Vikings and a mute, violent prophet. Not for every taste, but no one can deny an sense of style and theater. Movies are supposed to take chances.
Nicholas Winding Refn delivers a strange, psychedelic, arthouse movie about Vikings and a mute, violent prophet. Not for every taste, but no one can deny an sense of style and theater. Movies are supposed to take chances.
7. Fear X (2003).
Again, Nicholas Winding Refn. Here he creates a dark meditation on the consequences of grief and repressed rage. A suburban security guard becomes obsessed with finding the men who gunned down his wife.
Again, Nicholas Winding Refn. Here he creates a dark meditation on the consequences of grief and repressed rage. A suburban security guard becomes obsessed with finding the men who gunned down his wife.
8. Ad Astra (2019). It only came out last year, and some may say not enough time has passed to render definitive judgment. But every time I watch this movie, I sense I'm in the presence of a masterpiece. A very worthy successor to 1979's "Apocalypse Now."
9. Interstellar (2014).
Director Christopher Nolan manages to combine cosmic themes of science and space-time travel with human dynamics centered on love and sacrifice. The result is not perfect, but nevertheless a visionary and ambitious work of art.
Director Christopher Nolan manages to combine cosmic themes of science and space-time travel with human dynamics centered on love and sacrifice. The result is not perfect, but nevertheless a visionary and ambitious work of art.
10. The Great Beauty (2013).
Nostalgic, emotional, sensual, and strangely moving, this is the kind of film that could only be made in Italy, and more specifically, in Rome itself. An aging writer reflects on his life, loves, and losses, with Fellini-esque grandeur and wit.
Nostalgic, emotional, sensual, and strangely moving, this is the kind of film that could only be made in Italy, and more specifically, in Rome itself. An aging writer reflects on his life, loves, and losses, with Fellini-esque grandeur and wit.
Honorable mentions:
Sleepless Night (2011).
Timecrimes (2007).
Prisoners (2013).
Incendies (2010).
Blade Runner 2049 (2017).
Sleepless Night (2011).
Timecrimes (2007).
Prisoners (2013).
Incendies (2010).
Blade Runner 2049 (2017).
