Films of the decade

Having produced a series of 'Albums of the Decade' posts at the end of 2009, I thought I should also produce a 'Films of the Decade' list. I tried to do this, but couldn't get 10. I either got stuck on about 4, or, having included a few more, rapidly shot up to about 15. So instead of going for the best films of the noughties, I've picked out 10 films from that decade that, for various reasons, you should watch. This is not my top 10 (you'll notice an absence of Stardust, Shrek 2, The Prestige, Equilibrium and others that would have been contenders). Instead, it's just 10 films I recommend that you watch, if you haven't already. Films in alphabetical order. Links take you to trailers.

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Because it's some of the best writing and acting of the decade and because it's a superb portrayal of John Nash's life.

Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

Because it's jointly the most moving film I've ever seen (with Return of the King) and because its message is an important one.  Review here.

Gladiator (2000)

Because it's just awesome - acting, script, action, music...you name it.

The Lord Of The Rings (2001-2003)

Because it's the best damn film ever. Do not argue with me!

Memento (2000)

Because the storytelling style is so unique and because it will make you think hard, which is something you don't do enough.

Moulin Rouge (2001)

Because of it's unique wackyness and because it's actually a really good film too.

Shrek (2001)

Because it's the one of the cleverest films of the decade, and also very funny and moving.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Because it's almost the perfect action film, and because Christopher Nolan deserves to be on this list twice.

The Last King of Scotland (2006)

Because even though I'm not very into this sort of film, this one gripped me, and because the lead actors are superb.

Up (2009)

Because it represents so much about Pixar – excellent animation, the ability to make moving films about animated characters, and their strongest theme of unlikely friendships.

Trailers

This week I have been to see two films at the cinema: Creation (the story of Charles Darwin's personal life) and Up (the latest adventure from Pixar).

Before seeing these films I had seen the trailers to both.  The Creation trailer excited me greatly, the Up trailer made me think Pixar had finally run out of ideas.

I was disappointed with Creation - very little happens, there was not enough of Darwin's work and its effects on his and his wife's relationship, the science vs religion debate was barely mentioned, and that debate presented the issue as firmly either/or rather than both/and.  All the best bits of the film were in the trailer.  I would probably go as far as saying that the trailer was as good as the film.

In contrast, I was very impressed with Up - it was very well animated, laugh-out-loud funny, poignant and moving.  I felt the trailer did not do the film justice at all.

The differences between these two films and trailers really made me realise what an impact a trailer can have.  From the trailers, I was more excited about Creation than Up, but having seen the films, there is no contest as to my favourite.

On a similar note, the greatest ever trailer is the trailer for The Two Towers.  After the enormity of FOTR a year earlier and the agonising wait for the next installment, this trailer got me more excited about a film than I had ever been.