You’ve read some of our votes for the Best Films of 2009, but today we’re happy to bring you the JoBlo.com Best Films of the 2000s! We took a look back at all the films that came out this decade and picked our favorites. Unlike the 2009 list, this is not one person’s individual list. Seven JoBlo.com writers – me, Chris Bumbray, Jenna Busch, Dave Davis, JimmyO, Jim Law and JoBlo himself – all voted for our own personal Top 10s. Then we argued, debated, negotiated and eventually agreed on a collaborative Top 10 of the 2000s.
In the end, I think we were all pretty happy with the list (and even I, who vehemently disagrees with the #1 film, say that). It’s got a little love, a few laughs, some action and, of course, zombies.
After reading the list, we invite you to head into the Strike Backs below to make your own Top 10 of the 2000s. I’m sure you’ll agree with some of our choices and also have some suggestions on things we missed. But that’s all part of the fun! So without further ado, coming in at #10 is…
10. ONCE
We spend a lot of time (rightfully) dogging the romantic comedy genre for taking an experience as powerful as falling in love and reducing it to its most base levels. What John Carney was able to do on a shoestring budget with two non-actors was nothing short of remarkable. We see two aspiring musicians meet and slowly fall in love (hence the Oscar-winning song “Falling Slowly”) but their relationship defies cinematic conventions the entire way for an absolutely heartwarming (or heartbreaking) experience that is as real as anything we’ve felt in our own lives. Steven Spielberg said, “ONCE gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year.” I saw it in 2007 and I’m still coasting. –Mike Sampson
9. PAN’S LABYRINTH
PAN’S LABYRINTH is the film that took writer/director Guillermo del Toro from the awesome fanboy fave he had already become by making kickass flicks such as CRONOS, BLADE 2, THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE and HELLBOY, and turned him into the awesome “critically accepted” filmmaker he is today…without losing any of his fanboy street cred! In fact, with the two HOBBIT movies up next, he’s sure to certify his legendary status even further. In terms of the film itself though, del Toro managed to pull off a brilliant adult fantasy movie which combined a children’s fairy tale with sinister themes, monsters and killings, along with a surprising amount of humanity to boot. Visually stunning, fairly dark yet emotionally involving. A modern day classic. –JoBlo
8. ANCHORMAN
No one will ever argue that ANCHORMAN is a finely crafted piece of cinema but what it is, is one of the funniest movies in recent memory (and the only straight-up comedy on our list). Absurdist comedy at its finest, no other comedy this decade has even approached its quotability. It makes this list because like other legendary comedies – THE JERK, CADDYSHACK, AIRPLANE – it just keeps getting funnier every time you watch it while some other quotable comedies from the 2000s (ahem, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE) eventually fizzle out. I love lamp. I really do. –Mike Sampson
7. KILL BILL, VOLUME I
We had waited 6 years after JACKIE BROWN for Quentin Tarantino’s next cinematic creation and needless to say, we were as stoked as stoked could be when KILL BILL: VOLUME I finally hit screens in 2003. Well, even though we ourselves had overhyped the shit out of the film — and some thought that Tarantino had lost his touch — KILL BILL turned out to be yet another awesome addition to Tarantino’s growing repertoire of awesomeness, and one which could be described in many ways, but as per my original review, how about these to start: “fun, inventive, exciting, ballsy, violent, entertaining, stylized and brilliant.” Tarantino had apparently said at the time that the film is probably one that “Clarence from TRUE ROMANCE would love to see”, and I couldn’t agree more. If you’re a big fan of movies, as we are on this website…you really can’t go wrong with KILL BILL: VOLUME I. Good times. –JoBlo
6. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND is absolutely one of the most powerful and touching films about relationships I have ever seen. This story of a man looking to forget what he once loved is utterly complex, yet it still presents the love story as something entirely human, bruises and all. This is not your everyday romantic comedy/drama. It is far more potent and heartbreaking. This inspired script, written by Charlie Kaufman, is simply brilliant in its exploration of love and the power to forget. And it is certainly helped by the outstanding performance by Kate Winslet as Clementine. Michel Gondry’s cinematic masterpiece is not only a fantastic script, it is also a visual feast, shot with skill yet not once does it feel like style over substance. This is a wonderful film which also happens to be fiercely original and extremely imaginative, it even has the kitchen sink thrown in for good measure. A truly beautiful experience that happens to be one of the best love stories ever told. –JimmyO
5. ALMOST FAMOUS
Cameron Crowe’s masterpiece, this is a fictionalized look at his formative years spent as a teenaged rock journalist for Rolling Stone. It’s obvious that Crowe looks back at this time in his life with nothing but joy, and that feeling is contagious. It’s truly a beautiful and bittersweet look back at an era that, arguably, was rock’s last great hurrah. We’re lucky that a guy like Crowe was around to soak it all in. And with the UNTITLED director’s cut of the film; this is one of the few times where I would advocate skipping the extended version. The theatrical version is a much leaner film, and more effective film. Crowe is the most soulful director working in American film, and, God willing, he’ll put ELIZABETHTOWN behind him, and get back to doing the type of films he does best. –Chris Bumbray
4. CHILDREN OF MEN
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I saw CHILDREN OF MEN in theaters. I figured it would be a cool, futuristic, Clive Owen action flick- I had no idea it would be a bloody masterpiece, and my choice for best film of the decade. Everything about this film is perfect. The direction, the music, the acting, and the script- not a single misstep is made. And those single shot sequences- my god! The ambush on the country road sequence alone would make this film a classic… The fact CHILDREN OF MEN was largely ignored at Oscar time, goes to prove just how stodgy, and out of touch the academy is. It’s a modern classic, and one that I believe will stand the test of time. –Chris Bumbray
3. THE INCREDIBLES
Pixar and Brad Bird did the unthinkable when they created their own family of superheroes and marched them straight down the middle of an already flooded market. What’s more is how easily they perfected every aspect of the genre. There was the proud reliability of Superman, the sympathetic real-life drama of Spider-Man, and the underground audacity of the Batman all rolled together and delivered by one of the finest voice casts ever assembled. In a decade defined by the uprising of animation, none were more Super. –Jim Law
2. SHAUN OF THE DEAD
SHAUN OF THE DEAD is a classic zombie film. While it manages to be very funny, it also adds a bit of suspense, human drama and a couple of gory zombie kills. There are so many unforgettable moments scattered throughout. From deciding which records should be used as a weapon, to the brilliant sequence inside a pub that even manages to bring a tear or two. Edgar Wright created something truly special while paying homage to all the undead movies that came before. While the humor is incredibly satisfying, it really is much more than that. This is truly one of the most inspired comedies that manages to entertain and even get quite bloody thanks to a little tribute to George Romero’s DAY OF THE DEAD. Shaun is a wonderfully inventive bit of cinema that to this day, continues to inspire. –JimmyO
1. THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY
Not only are all three movies on the list, but I have to say, hands down, these are my personal favorite of all time. Hell, I’m a sci-fi/fantasy geek. How could I not love them? (And before you ask, I didn’t learn Elvish…but I thought about it.) I’m such a giant dork that I re-read the books before each film, said, “You shall not pass!” to people in hallways and almost…almost bought one of those replica swords from that catalogue that mysteriously shows up at my house around the holidays. Frodo lives! –Jenna Busch
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