A-List: The Ten Best Movies of the 2000s

By Josh Spiegel

November 20, 2009

Seventh base.

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Carell has never been able to evoke as many emotions in a movie as he does here; his Andy is thrilled at his newfound friendship with his co-workers, scared of the possibility of being with a woman, excited, frantic, crazed, everything. Yes, the comic set pieces, specifically the speed-dating sequence and Andy's ill-fated attempt to wax his chest, are amazingly funny, the latter all the moreso for Carell's dedication to actually doing the sunt; that blood is real and it's his. Andy's journey from overgrown if shy child to relatively functioning adult comes at a price, as he gives away all of his toys. But, on the other hand, he falls in love and enjoys having sex so much that he sings to the music of Hair. Silly, yes. Immature, sure. Poignant, touching, and believable? Yes, yes, and yes.

9. No Country For Old Men

I'm sure the question was asked sometime before 2007, but if you've ever wondered what the result of Joel and Ethan Coen directing a movie that features none of the typical Coen quirk would look like, the answer is No Country For Old Men, the 2007 winner of the Oscar for Best Picture. Based on the awe-inspiring novel by Cormac McCarthy, No Country For Old Men is about how a satchel full of money turns an ordinary man's life upside down as he becomes hunted by the very personification of evil. As Llewellyn Moss, Josh Brolin went a little bit unheralded, but delivered a solid leading performance. Still, the role that got the most attention was that of Anton Chigurh, played by Javier Bardem in a performance that would get him an Academy Award. Chigurh is creepy at all times, able to be a seemingly textured and deep character despite being relentlessly single-minded.




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What makes No Country For Old Men stand apart from even the other Coen Brothers great films, such as Fargo and Raising Arizona is its breathless suspense. The earliest chase scene, as Moss runs away from some drug runners as they chase after him and their money, manages to seem fresh in its you-are-there style, thanks mostly to the crisp and frequently jaw-dropping cinematography by Roger Deakins. Later, the major chase between Moss and Chigurh, centering around a hotel at nighttime is partly edge-of-your-seat filmmaking, partly visceral enjoyment. The finale, though faithful, threw some off, but the eloquence of Tommy Lee Jones' acting, as a local sheriff, and the at-a-distance direction from the Coens makes it all the more memorable. Not only one of the best of the decade, but the Coens' best.

8. Children of Men

What a shame that more people haven't taken it upon themselves to watch this haunting dystopian film, from visionary director Alfonso Cuaron. Set in the near future, Children of Men predicts a world where children are no longer born. What happens when the youngest person on the planet is a teenager? What happens to the way people live when the government strictly controls every one of your movements? Moreover, what happens if you happen to meet a young woman who actually is pregnant? Do you think about yourself, or do you think about the woman, even if you're not familiar with her, friendly with her? These are the questions posed by the film, and posed to the main character, Theo, played by a brilliant Clive Owen. Owen is his usual suave and rumpled self, but grows from a selfish coward into something close to a hero.


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