The Mixed Tape

Tyler’s Favorite Films of the Decade by tylercoenrrea

And what a decade it was.

10. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

In all honesty the whole trilogy belongs up here as one movie. But just like Empire Strikes Back and The Godfather Part II the second is the best. Here are the three reasons why: Gollum, Helm’s Deep, Sam’s Speech.

9. Wall-E

The best animated film of the decade. Storytelling at it’s greatest and evidence that Pixar is one of the most creative powers in the business. Truly a remarkable film that reminds us we don’t need celebrity voices, crude humor, or pop culture references to reach children.

8. Kill Bill Vol. 1

Quentin Tarantino lets his love for cinema and bloody chaos rule the screen in an orgy of artful violence and Asian culture. One of the most entertaining films this decade, it’s filmmaking at it’s greatest.

7. The Hurt Locker

The Platoon of the 2000’s, this is the first great film about the Iraq War. No political message, no cliches, just a story about the men who stare death in the face and call it their job.

6. Children of Men

A mesmerizing look at hope in the face of anarchy. Expertly crafted with long takes, Alfonso Cuaron presents to us a science fiction tale strung together with human emotion, enchanting characters, and a world on the brink of destruction.I know it’s said a lot but this is a “one-of-a-kind” film.

5. Elephant

I’m having trouble describing the emotions of how I can praise this film. It’s a haunting portrayal of a high school and its moments leading up to an unsuspected act of violence. The camera gracefully follows a random selection of students and their interactions with each other just as their lives will be shaken by the events. Gus Vant Sant’s boldest and argubly greatest film to date as he doesn’t ask questions about the tragic lives of teenagers but simply shows us the dark abyss from which they cannot escape.

4. Requiem For A Dream

Hey kids, you don’t wanna do drugs. But don’t take my word for it, just ask Mr. Aronofsky here, in fact he’s got a little film he would like to show you. It will numb your senses, and take all your fears and trials and shove them into a pit of acid. Then it will make you watch the lives of these four individuals as they deteriorate into worthless, meaningless experiences. You’ll cry. Believe me, you will cry.

3. Slumdog Millionaire

There is nothing wrong with this movie. Everything is perfect about it and it will be remembered for years to come.

2. No Country For Old Men

Upon first seeing this film I had no idea what to think of it. This was unlike any Coen brother movie they had ever made so I was confused. But I couldn’t get it out of my head. Tommy Lee Jones’ apocalyptic words stayed in my head for days, and soon I began to realize I loved this film. Dark, disturbing, and nodding its head at hopelessness, the Coen brothers have not topped themselves yet. A movie that will stay in your mind forever and that’s what makes it great.

1. Oldboy

If you have not seen this film do yourself a favor and see it as soon as possible. Asian filmmaking is strongly generated by their powerful and creative storytelling. Oldboy is proof of that. A twisted tale of revenge that would have been a disaster in the hands of an American director (we’re looking at you Spielberg). Everything about Chan-wook Park’s masterpiece is brilliant, from the brutality to the emotinally wrecking plot. Beautifully shot and perfectly acted, this is a film that is years ahead of it’s time. It will be studied for years to come and if you can stomach the dark places it descends you will experience a film like no other.

Honorable Mentions:

Gangs of New York

The Dark Knight

The Fall

The 25th Hour

There Will Be Blood

Cast Away

Best In Show

Adaptation

Inglorious Basterds

– Tyler Correa