Dir: Werner Herzog
Cast: Christian Bale, Steve Zahn
Perhaps Werner Herzog's most mainstream film is also one of his best films of the past 10-20 years. Rescue Dawn is straight-forward in its approach and features a fine performance from Christian Bale as a prisoner of war in Laos during the Vietnam War. It's also surprisingly a positive film about wanting to survive at any cost. The depth in which Dieter Dangler (Bale) goes through in order to survive is just so great to watch. What makes it even better is that it's all based on a true story, sure Herzog may have been a bit liberal with the facts, but it all made for a great film. A great film that seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle since it has been released.
89. Sunshine, 2007, UK
Dir: Danny Boyle
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Cliff Curtis
A brilliantly made sci-fi/thriller with great visual effects directed by one of Britain's best directors working today, Danny Boyle. A film about a group of astronauts sent to revive a dying sun, it's really the first film to really be about the sun. It provides some interesting twists and interpretations within the sci-fi genre and while the final act of the movie is a bit surprising and even a bit off-putting for some people, it still makes for a great thrill ride. I will admit, however, that third act almost kills it for me as the first 2/3 of the movie is absolutely perfect. With that into consideration, I still think it's a film worth cherishing and so its spot at number 89 is perfect to me.
88. Revolutionary Road, 2008, USA
Dir: Sam Mendes
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet
A finely acted film by two great talents, Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Of course we all remember them as being the love story that is the centerpiece of James Cameron's Titanic, but in Revolutionary Road, their romance isn't quite as smooth and wonderful. The lush cinematography, fantastic acting, authentic '50s set pieces makes this a wonderful film to watch unfold. Sam Mendes shows just how much of a talent he is at working with actors because, honestly, for both Leo and Kate... this was a very tough film to pull off. Leo and Kate's characters are at each other's necks for a majority of the movie but manage not to turn this movie into a melodrama.
87. 500 Days of Summer, 2009, USA
Dir: Marc Webb
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel
This wonderful, charming little movie was Marc Webb's debut film and he has already made quite an impression. Topped by last decade's rising young star, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and everybody's favorite indie girl Zooey Deschanel, 500 Days of Summer does everything it possibly can to win you over and manages to succeed everytime. This film about a young man's struggle to cope with a breakup really breaks down the ups and downs of every romantic relationship. In many ways, this movie reminded me of Annie Hall in that its imagination had no boundaries. It would show you many different ways to demonstrate the thoughts and feelings of the main character and by the time the musical number comes in, you just have to throw your hands up, stay in your seat, and watch the magic unfold.
86. Brokeback Mountain, 2005,USA
Dir: Ang Lee
Cast: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal
Ang Lee's 2005 film is one of the best romantic movies of the 2000s and it happens to be about two male cowboys. Yes, this movie was the butt of many jokes for much of years 2005 and 2006 and while it may have been amusing at first, people (mostly guys) still willing to dismiss this film because it contains a love story between two men really shows just how uncomfortable and ignorant we still are when it comes to homosexuality. But never mind that, this is a great love story with excellent performances from Ledger and Gyllenhaal. I was one of those guys who was reluctant initially to give this film a chance, but I finally did a few years ago and I do not regret it. Neither should you.
85. Spider-Man 2, 2004, USA
Dir: Sam Raimi
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst
Spider-Man 2 was the film that really upped the ante when it came to big budget, superhero/comic book movies and it would be the ultimate yardstick for all the other similar genre films to be measured by. It's a film that really goes into the sad plight of a superhero like Spider-Man. Here's a guy who was still in high school when he developed these spider-esque superpowers and has since been the man everyone has expected to save them in times of peril. There are times when Peter Parker does think about giving it up for good and letting evil run amok before he finally decides that this was ultimately what he was meant to do. The movie also successfully carries on the love story between Peter and Mary Jane and keeps it from turning into a crappy love story. This was Sam Raimi's finest achievement with the Spider-Man franchise which has since been on the verge of being completely rebooted by the aforementioned Marc Webb.
84. High Fidelity, 2000, USA
Dir: Stephen Frears
Cast: John Cusack, Jack Black
This was a film I used to watch over and over again throughout my high school years because I felt I related so much to main character Rob Gordon (Cusack)... at least personality-wise. The upfront, honest on-camera narration by John Cusack's character is what makes this film work so well. You feel that much closer to Rob Gordon and his torment with dealing with the breakup with his last girlfriend. You also can't help but watch in amusement as Gordon looks back at his previous relationships, trying to revisit them only to discover that none of the problems of these relationships could have been helped... except for Penny Hardwick, he dropped the ball with that one. You also can't forget the great supporting performances provided by Jack Black and Todd Louiso. I still insist this movie features Jack Black's finest performance as he plays the hilarious Barry. Jack Black nails the elitist music buff way better than I could have imagined. The bottom-line however to what really makes this movie great is the poignant relationship between Rob Gordon and Laura which never turns into a sappy romance and always remains realistic and a wonder to watch.
83. Curious Case of Benjamin Button, 2008, USA
Dir: David Fincher
Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett
Curious Case of Benjamin Button tries so hard to be a glorious, gigantic epic movie and you just have to go along with it and its 160+ minute running time. Ultimately, Benjamin Button isn't necessarily the epic that it wants to be, but it's still a great movie in its own right. Featuring great performances from Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, what really makes this movie great is the second half of the movie. This is really where we get into the heart of the movie and what it's really about which is the helplessness of time moving forward and quickly and people who have to adjust and live in the moment the best they can. Watching Pitt's character throughout his 20s/30/40s maintain his relationship with Daisy (Blanchett) is just heartbreaking to watch. People often compare this to Forrest Gump, a comparison I definitely think is worth thinking about since both were written for the screen by Eric Roth. But Benjamin Button is a lot darker and sadder and is visually a treat to watch thanks to David Fincher.
82. Up, 2009, USA
Dir: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
Voices: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer
Speaking of visual treats, the first Pixar movie on this list (but not the last), Up is just such a gorgeous looking movie. Containing perhaps the most brilliant and saddest four minutes in movie history, Up really doesn't hesitate to overwhelm you emotionally. This film really demonstrates how much Pixar has dominated animated movies over the last decade. Year after year they continue to make these great movies and while the latter half of the movie is just typical Pixar affair, you really couldn't ask for more as a moviegoer. And besides, if the movie would've remained on par with the very beginning of the movie, there wouldn't have been enough tissues to supply to the audience.
81. Y Tu Mama Tambien, 2001, Mexico
Dir: Alfonso Cuaron
Cast: Diego Luna, Gael Garcia Bernal
In the 2000s, Mexico officially put its hat in the ring when it came to making great movies and Y tu mama tambien was the movie that really showed how much talent there is south of the border. Later in the decade we would find that this was no fluke as Alfonso Cuaron has since proven to be one of the greatest current working directors and Gael Garcia Bernal has just been a force to be reckoned with in the last decade. It seems like every great Spanish-speaking film to come out in the 2000s features him. Anyway, Y tu mama tambien is a sexy, provocative, and poignant road movie. Roger Ebert was correct when he observed this movie as being about two Mexicos. The one Mexico are the three main characters and the free-wheeling, easy-going, sexual relationship that they have with each other. The other Mexico is the one they are driving by which is not quite as wondrous. There are great performances all around in this movie and if you are mature enough to handle the frank sexuality that runs rampant in this movie, you will enjoy it as much as I did.
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