My top 10 movies from the last decade (2000-2010)

I've been thinking a lot about movies I've seen recently that I like; I figure countdowns are really popular, so why not rank my favorite movies from the last decade? So I did. Since the current decade is only just over a year old, rather than wait another 10 years to make a list for them, I've included films from 2010. So really these are my favorite movies from the last 11 years.

Keep in mind these are my favorite movies, not necessarily the best. So if I haven't seen it, it doesn't qualify (i.e. The King's Speech, Slumdog Millionaire, etc.).

So counting down from 10 to 1, I present my favorite movies of 2000-2010:

10. Invictus (2009)

Directed by the Legendary Clint Eastwood, Invictus tells us the story of the 1995 South African Rugby team that wins the Rugby World Cup, and unites their great nation, which had recently done away with their apartheid laws (separated the Whites from the Blacks), and had established a new government by electing their first President, Nelson Mandela. The new president takes office on shaky ground racism, and violence erupts, but he puts his efforts towards uniting the country's people through sport. It also gives us a glimpse of South Africa's history, and Nelson Mandela's trying 27 years in prison. Morgan Freeman gives an Academy Award nominated performance as Nelson Mandela—heartfelt, and spot on. This film also features Matt Damon, who portrays Francois Pienaar, Captain of the Springboks. Call me biased, since this movie is about one of my favorite countries in the world, but it is truly a moving story with crisp cinematography, brilliant acting and an ultimately moving plot.

9. Phoebe in Wonderland (2009)

Phoebe in Wonderland takes us inside the mind of a 9 year old girl who suffers from Schizophrenia, and Tourette's Syndrome. She struggles to fit in at school, and always seems to get in trouble for things she can't control, until she auditions for the school play, "Alice in Wonderland". There she thrives; she discovers she is happy when she is pretending to be Alice, when she enters her own Wonderland. Phoebe is played by Elle Fanning who gives an astonishing performance—not bad for a 10 year old. It is a truly moving and heart-wrenching, but overall, heartwarming story about self worth, the importance of family, and discovering what really matters.

8. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Nominated for Best Actor in 2006 for his role as Chris Gardner, Will Smith redefined himself as an actor. This is by far his best role, but let's be honest, his role as Agent J in Men in Black and Jim West in Wild, Wild West couldn’t really compare. This film tells the story of Chris Gardner's struggle to survive in the ever changing economic world, and ultimately, his determination to succeed. In reality, the performance of Smith makes this movie. Without him this would be one of those Lifetime-made-for-TV-movies you'd see your mom watching on your way to the kitchen. Fortunately for the film's producers, his heart felt, genuine performance elevates it to one of the best films of the last decade.
Nominated for Best Actor in 2006 for his role as Chris Gardner, Will Smith redefined himself as an actor. This is by far his best role, but let's be honest, his role as Agent J in Men in Black and Jim West in Wild, Wild West couldn’t really compare. This film tells the story of Chris Gardner's struggle to survive in the ever changing economic world, and ultimately, his determination to succeed. In reality, the performance of Smith makes this movie. Without him this would be one of those Lifetime-made-for-TV-movies you'd see your mom watching on your way to the kitchen. Fortunately for the film's producers, his heart felt, genuine performance elevates it to one of the best films of the last decade.

7. The Dark Knight (2008)

Simply brilliant. I'm not big into Super Hero movies adapted from comic books, but this Christopher Nolan masterpiece succeeds, not only as an adventurist comic book movie, but also as a thrilling crime saga. The sequel to Batman Begins (which could also easily be on this list), The Dark Knight has set a new standard for film making. Its cinematography, screen play, and acting are light years ahead of other films in its category, such as Iron Man, Spider Man, Fantastic Four, and all others of the same kind. It's natural to categorize it with those films, but in reality, it's so much more. Let's not forget the breath-taking, deep performance of Heath Ledger, who won Best Actor for his role as the Joker. An all-around great film.

6. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Oh, Wes Anderson. No wonder white people love you. Much like any of Wes Anderson's films, this one is very witty. It's got George Clooney playing a fox, Bill Murray playing a badger, and Owen Wilson playing a coach. What more could you ask for? It's the story of the sly and clever Mr. Fox who gets his family and friends into a lot of trouble when he messes with "three of the meanest and nastiest" farmers in the valley. It's a very happy movie, and if you get the humor you find it hilarious, if not you're just caught staring. This movie is cussin’ great!

5. The Pianist (2002)

Based on a true story, The Pianist is a very heart-felt and serious movie of a pianist, Polish Jew Wladyslaw Szpilman during World War II whose life is drastically changed when the Germans invade Poland. Adrian Brody does a wonderful job playing Szpilman. The Pianist is a very heart-breaking and moving film.

4. Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Don Cheadle plays Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager in the African country of Rwanda when genocide breaks out. He uses the hotel as a place for hunted refugees to take shelter. A story of courage, and one man's desire to help people no matter what he faces, it paints an ugly picture of war, and those who suffer, much like the previous movie on this list. Hotel Rwanda is not an easy watch, but the message it ultimately brings is peace.

3.Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Technically, it's a sci-fi romance, but not really. It's a barrage of stunning visual effects, mixed with great acting, and a deep screenplay. In this film, Jim Carrey plays Joel Barish who finds out his girlfriend Clementine, played by Kate Winslet, has erased all of her memories of him through a new medical procedure. Out of bitterness and pride he decides to undergo the same procedure. We get an inside look at Joel Barish's mind, and memories as they are being erased. Over the course of the procedure Joel realizes that some memories are worth keeping. In the end both their memories of each other are erased, but the moral of the story is that fate cannot be erased. The film also features Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood, and David Cross. Amazing cinematography, it's filmed very much like a dream, very "trippy" at times, but overall very cool. It's also got Beck on the soundtrack, so it couldn't really fail.

2. Inception (2010)

I could probably just say the word "Inception" and most people who have seen Inception would completely understand. I could use other terms such as heart-pounding, intense, original, clever, thought-provoking or dazzling. Inception spins your head, and then takes the time to explain how it’s doing that. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan who has clearly made a place for himself in the realm of great directors with this one. Mind blowing visual effects, profound and witty dialogue, Inception has a lot going for it. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Dom Cobb, an "extractor" who secretly goes into people’s minds through their dreams and steals vital information. This is a program called Dream Sharing which was developed by the military for soldier training purposes. Cobb struggles with his past, and wants only to return to his estranged family. When an opportunity arises to get him home, he takes it with all the odds against succeeding. Inception definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat, begging you to pay attention. In 2010, Inception was nominated for 8 Academy Awards including Best Visual Effects, and Best Motion Picture.

1. 127 Hours (2010)

My favorite movie of the last 11 years. Watching 127 hours is an interesting experience. It evokes every emotion possible. It's certainly not a comfortable watch, but it's not meant to be. Definitely not for anyone who faints at the sight of blood. 127 hours is the incredible true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston who was hiking in Canyonlands National Park when he had his arm crushed and pinned under a 1,800 lb boulder. There he stays, trapped, for 5 days and 7 hours, during which time he contemplates life, decisions, regrets; he remembers family, friends’ faces, and times. The ultimate survival story, Ralston battles hunger, dehydration, hypothermia, and fatigue. He eventually resorts to drastic measures to free himself, and survive. The movie and the true story both teach us "There is no force on earth more powerful than the will to live." 127 Hours is a beautiful film that takes you on an adventure while watching actor James Franco sit in the same spot for two hours. Franco's performance is amazing. The film paints a good picture of what it would have been like, without actually having to go through it personally. 127 Hours was nominated for 8 Academy Awards: Best Actor (James Franco), Best Director (Danny Boyle), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, Best Song (“If I Rise”), and Best Motion Picture of 2010. A truly inspiring film.

Other films not on the list, but worthy of note:

Batman Begins, The Royal Tenenbalms, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Million Dollar Baby, Gladiator, School of Rock, United 93, Juno, A Beautiful Mind, the Last Samurai, and Remember the Titans.