2000 Decade Top 100

Greatest film of the 2000's decade. End to the best saga of the age. 11 Academy Awards, second highest grossing film worldwide. Winner of my Best of the Decade 2000- and Top Film of 2003.

Winner of my Top 2004 Films.

The begining of the greatest cinematic saga of this century. Best Fantasy Film.

Best Film of 2005. Possibly the greatest love story ever told. One of the few truly heart-braking films I have ever seen.

Great Ironic Sci Fi Dystopian Thriller. With birth rates falling in the world today a future without children is an ironic and fascinating prospect. A film that lures as a sci fi thriller and captures you as an almost unbearably bleak nightmare. The best cinematography of the year creates one of the clearest and darkest visions into the future ever put to film. Thought provoking and unforgettable, Children of Men will have your mind feasting with questions and wonders long after the credits. Loved this film so much it convinced me to read the book. No other film has captured the 2000 decade more than Children Of Men

Best Film of 2007. A film of genius, from the monumental performance of Daniel Day Lewis to the astounding score by Johnny Greenwood. Winner of the LA and NY film critics awards.

There few films as powerful as City of God. There are films that perfectly capture the atmosphere or vibe of a place; there are films that give a warning of the world to come. Fernado Meirelles' City of God does both and more. Set in the slums of Rio the entire film feels so sharply real you are watching them happen in front of your eyes. All the actors were real kids from the slum, who had never acted before and the sets, time periods 1960's, 70's, 80's all create a well detailed picture. The violence, poverty and moral ambiguity all rush past like a blaze. Filmed with quick cuts, hand held cameras and suprisingly original film style that gives nod to Quentein Tarentino. The endless cycle of violence between gangs, police and everyone else caught in the middle send a chilling message. A scene in which a little boy is shot in the leg shocked me to the extent that I don't think I will ever forget it. This is a horror movie of the first order that will remain in your mind.

The greatest animated film of this decade. A trip into the mind of the animation master Hayao. Spirited Away could be the last original fairtayle ever to grace the screen

Amongst the greatest war films of all time. Best film of 2006. My pick for the 2007 Best Picture Oscar.

Cannes Film Festival Winner. Nominated for Best Picture, winner of Best Actor Adrien Brody. Winner of my Top 2002 Films.

My Favourite Film of 2007.

Best film of 2008!

Best reviewed film of 2007, a masterpeice.

An American Crime Classic. I can say with out a doubt that The Departed is one of the best films of 2006, I can also say that it will probably recieve some Academy Awards. What I can't say for certain is that it is Martin Scorsese's best film, as I haven't seen most of them. Even if it isn't the best Scorsese film it is still far better than other competition. A true Crime Suspense film if there ever was one. Simple, yet so complex. It's easy to get lost in the double, double crossing and plot details, but in the end the formulae is basically DiCaprio good, Damon bad, Nicholson Bad and Ugly (in a physical and moral sense). The title is the best indicator of the theme of the film, the departed that need prayers in order to leave purgatory and in the end the departed is almost every character in the film. However Jack Nicholson's soul is far from saving in a performance that sometimes goes too far and is better for it. Although he is the most evil, Matt Damon's character is the most hated, a first for a usually good guy Damon. But it is Leonardo who gives the best performance as the good cop. One of my favourite actors who has for too long been typed cast as a teen age heart throb for his role in Titanic, he proves that he is a great actor with great talent. The thing I loved most about this film were the shocking twists, that keep you guessing and almost become comical in the end. The 2 hours will fly by in a film that you can really sink your teeth into, not for the fain hearted though. A cinematic achievement.

Racism Film, Most Powerful Of All: The most important relevant film of 2005. Dealing with racism and, in my opinion, the culture of fear in which we all live. A truly tragic, provocative and thought-provoking look at society. The Best film of the year. Winner of my Top 2005 Films.

One of the best films of 2008 so far and the best superhero film ever. Heath Ledger is certain to win the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his truly mad performance as the joker. Yet there is Method to his Madness, this crazed character does make sense in his own twisted thinking. The film more than the original poses some extreemly difficult ethical questions concerning right and wrong, hero and villian, questions that are not nescessarily answered. Once again Nolan has redfined the comic book genre and has continued the most original and masterly film series out today. See this film!

Ang Lee's Epic martial arts masterpeice.

Baz Luhrman, aussie, is always shocking and making unconventional movies, but with Moulin Rogue he reinvented the musical genre with one film. Beautiful music and visually stunning but story lacking, plot melodramatic and cliched. The songs "Diamonds are a girl's Best Friend" and more importantly "Come What May" make the film fantastically enjoyable.

A Monumental Cinematic Triumph. A character study, a poltical intrigue, a human drama a masterpeice. Helen Mirren gives not only the performance of the year or even the decade but of a lifetime, as a complex woman of duty and our beloved Queen. A tale that shows both sides of the drama surrounding Princess Diana's death so full of emotion. Diana was dearly loved by myself and I was devestated when she died, the film captures the deep saddness, and conflict. Set to the background of the best written screenplay I have seen this year and with a smashing cast particularly Micheal Sheen, the Queen has restrained understated power and emotional impact. You will not see a better directed, written, acted film this year. Best film of the year. Classic Cinema.

"My precious."

Gladiator is a spectacular Roman Epic but it has a serious flaw, namely the character of Maximus. The hero is a brutal murderer who kills innocent people. Joaquin Pheonix's performance is the highlight.

Perfection.

Slumdog Millionaire is a triumph. A perfect blend of Bollywood and Hollywood creating a spellbinding journey through the slums of Mumbai to the 'hotseat' on India's Who wants to be a Millionaire? An improbable story of fate seduces the audience with its surrounding harsh realism of India, so really it seems like your watching a fascinating documentary. Slumdog Millionaire offers an thought inspiring message: that in the midths of India's economic boom, modernisation and insatiable quest for wealth dominated by the dream of leaving poverty and becoming a millionaire, the truly wealthy one is the one who finds true love and is loved in return. A Fantastic film, see it today.

Robert Altman is the master. The film is a masterpeice. Maggie Smith is perfect as always. Story, dialogue and chraracters give a whole new meaning to the Whodunit genre.

Far From Heaven is a beautiful and fascinating story of Julian Morre as a 50s 'perfect world' suburban housewife watching her marriage fall apart and falling in love with her gardener. One of the Best Films of 2002

I love, love, love this movie, give em the old Razzle Dazzle!

A Murder Most Foul And An Actor Most Brilliant. Capote is a complex story with uncommon depth and insight into murder and the mind. Played to perfection by Philip Seymour Hoffman in his Oscar destined performance. In Cold Blood, the book that made and destroyed Capote in one breath.

Julia Robert's career best role as Erin Brockovich one of hollywood's greatest heros. Nominated for Best Picture. Winner of my Top 2000 Films.

A Modern-Day, Moral Masterpiece. Action, Drama, Perfection. Modern day Masterpiece. Sets the standard for Action films so high that in ten years from now people will still be saying "That movie wasn't as good as Batman Begins". My Personal Favorite Film of 2005.

A return to classic cinema. I loved this film.

One of the best movies of 2009 so far, You have never seen anything quite like Ponyo. Not as dark as Spirited Away but definately a comparable Miazaky Masterpeice! See it now.

Spielberg Triumphant Once Again. A gripping, courageous and relevant film for our time. Munich poses questions but not answers: Is Revenge, counter-revenge and the endless cycle of it, the solution?, Who is justified Israel or Palestine? Who will win? And Will the conflict ever end?

The Clash of Communication. "Therefore is the name of it called Babel (confusion); because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.'' From the parable of "The Tower of Babel" the title is taken which sets the tone for this sweeping powerful film dramatically and emotionally. The best film to deal with globalisation as an art form spanning three continents and many languages the film also deals with the futility of communication. From Los Angeles to Mexico to Morrocco to Tokyo the film's story deals on a global scale. Great performances are given by Rinko Kikuuchi as a blind depressed Tokyo tennager, Brad Pitt in his most emotionally raw role yet with Cate Blanchett as the quintessential Western couple and Adrianna Barazza as the illegal imigrant nanny. Could very well be the "Crash" of the year as I thought it would be. Babel is definately one of the most powerful and confronting films of 2006.

The first Hollywood feature to draw its narrative directly from the September 11 attacks. United 93 had a lot to live up too yet I doubt any other 9/11 film will live up to this film. More than anything the film tries to reccount what exactly happened on the flight, and I believe that this film is as close to the truth as it can be. You feel like your watching the actual events unfold before your eyes, rather than a film. Every detail adds to the 100% realistic feeling. The scenes and dialogue are absolutely riveting and intense. Devestatingly tragic and harrowingly powerful, the film is a mentally, physically and emotionally draining experience. Ultimately the message or conclusion of United 93 is left up to you. By far one of the best films of the year. Winner of my Top Terrorism Subject Films.

Dysfunctional Family: A Study Of Human Hilarity. An exercise in dark comedy, this film stands out as a work of comical genius. Strikingly original, perfectly casted and acted with a strong message to top it off. A road trip with a yellow van full of tragically flawed characters that induces joy. Little Miss Sunshine is the funniest and one of the best films of the year. Breathing a fresh breeze into a stagnant comedy year, and the movie year as a whole.

Very funny and yet deeply tragic, Sideways is a film that looks at life through a wine glass. Characterisation and life commentary are the best features of this film.

A Revelation.

Best Film of 2007, so far, an instant classic! Third Best Pixar Film, 14th Best Disney Film.

A Grand Portrait of the Soulful Little Sparrow. La Vie en Rose is a grand historical drama and one of the best biographical films I have ever seen. From the cradle to the grave, through the blissful 'rose coloured' highs to the sorrowful heart-wrenching lows, of a great singer, artist and woman, Marion Cotillard gives us Edith Piaf a life and love, a passionate, wild drama for the ages. Marion Cotillard gives a performance of a lifetime, one that I would count amongst the best of the decade, her triumph at the Oscars I am almost certain of. Best Actress of 2007 is Marion Cotillard. Her lipsinking of Edith Piaf's edyfing songs is perfect, such songs as the beautiful title song, La Vie en Rose (Life in Pink) a song about seeing life through rose coloured glasses, but the most soulful of all her songs, said to be her signature song Non, je ne regrette rien (No Regets) which the film ends with sums up everything about her life that words can say. An extreemly powerful moving experience not to be missed.

Yet another Classic from Pixar studios. Perhaps not as sophisticated as WALL-E or Ratatouille, but alot more childern friendly. Up is both a fantastic adventure and a suprisingly moving story, one of the most moving of the Pixar classics.

The Wreslter is gruelling, ultra-violent and at times very ugly and seddy and yet Mickey Rourke makes The Wrestler one of the most humanly beautiful films of the year. His performance cannot be underestimated it is simply a revelation, Rourke bares his soul on camera, and I say Rourke not his character, because you know the character of the wrestler is more Rourke than Rourke is the character. Although I did not like his character, prefering Marisa Tomei's subtle stripper, in another great performance this year, I was moved to tears by the character's tragedy in much the same way I was moved by Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull. An emotionally defeating film, not easy but rewarding.

Unforgettable. Dealing with a high school shoot out, the film has uncommon insight in the lives and minds of the teenage killers. Brilliant. Winner of the Cannes Film Festival. The second installment in Gus Van Saint's Death series.

Historical Journalism At It's Best. An historical story of one man's struggle against evil, 'The only thing for evil to prevail is if good men do nothing'. A film that is neither Left nor Right, but rather about good journalism. The ultimate quest for TV to be informative not just entertaining.

All The Tears Of Africa Summed Up In One Film. From John Le Carrie's novel, begins with grief and proceeds with sadness toward horror. If Australia is the lucky country Africa must be the unlucky one. It is confronting and horrific, cynical about politics. Yet this is one of the year's best films.

Another Tarantino classic. Christoph Waltz is almost guaranteed to win the best supporting oscar this year for his movie stealing role as the 'jew hunter'.

Return to the authentic Adventure film. Gives a startling insight into the life of the British fleet with a compelling story to sustain.

During my long movie viewing career, there has been a few film moments of Movie Magic, where a film has been so spectacular that it feels truly magical. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is one such film. As a child and an avid reader of Harry Potter series before they became famous, it was a magical experience for me watching for the first time, the day the film came out in that dark cinema. Looking at it now I see the same qualities that made the film so magical. The story more than anything makes the film what it is but seeing your imagination realised, from book to film so perfectly I still stand in awe. The great British cast, the score by Williams and the forever young simplicity and magic of the story make this an all time great film.

An American Wartime Masterpiece. Clint Eastwood yet again creates a masterpiece using his talent of combining the classic with the modern. A wartime epic with unbelievable ugly war scenes and beautifully stunning cinematography. One can't help recalling the words attributed to Gen. George S. Patton in 1944: "Now I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. You won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country." War is hell and so is war propaganda.

Doubt is by far and away the most dramatically riveting film I have seen in 08. It would be mild to call Doubt a powerhouse of performances, it is a Chernobyl exploding, leaving your mind contaminated for weeks. Meryl Streep, Philp Seymor Hoffman, Amy Adams and supprisingly Viola Davis all give shattering performances, all brilliant, all worthy of an Oscar nomination. Philp Seymor Hoffman is charaismatic and conflicted as the priest in question whereas Amy Adams is the morally safest chacater. Although unsuprsingly Meryl vindicates her position as the best actress of modern times, the suprise comes in the heart-wrenching performance of Viola Davis, who as incredulous as it sounds steals her one scene from Meryl, which is no mean feat. Yet that isn't the only suprise in Doubt, the story twists and turns, black and white morality is quickly turned grey, making a seemingly common and straight forward story suprisingly complex and dangerous. To my mind, although the story may appear to be a battle between the head nun and parish priest over child sexual abuse, Meryl and Philp really represent a battle between two brands of Catholicism, the conservative, anachronistic, and doctrinal pre-vatican 2 (the second Vatican council)of Meryl and the more open, happy-clappy, modern post vatican 2 of Philp. Ultimately as the title suggests the plot is fraut with doubt and ironically the only thing that is absolutely certain is doubt.

The best action film in years, complex, compelling and astounding.

A beautifully flawed film. Lacking in overarching meaning or message, emotional drama or believeability. Has great cast, breathtaking cinematography, make-up and special effects, class and timelessness. Has the feel of Forrest Gump about it. The film is highlighted by scenes that are emotionally touching and thought-provoking. A must see, but not the Best Picture, best film of 08 shoo-in that it might have been.

Zodiac begins on the 4th July 1969 with the Zodiac killers second attack when he shot Darlene Ferrin and Mike Mageau at a lovers lane in Vallejo and ends a decade later, sustaining suspence and occasional horror throughout. From the director of the cult classic Fight Club and the medicore Panic Room, David Fitcher hits an nerve and doesn't let go. Form the begining of the of the investigation the audience is riveted to the hunting of the hunter, the real life, still unkown serial killer who called himself 'Zodiac'. And as the investigation runs it course with speculation running wild, the audience becomes evermore obsessed as the investigators are. None more than the character of Jake Gyllenhall, who gives a increasingly frantic performance over shadowed by the sensational witty acting of the masterful but underarted Robert Downey JR. Dotted throughout this masterful crime drama, are scenes of pure horror as the killer feeds what drives him and the investigators get closer to unveiling the Zodiac. (SOPILERS) The fact that the crime is ultimately unsolved adds to the mystery, even though a possible answer to the killers true identity is offered. I wonder if the actor who played behind the mask was the same actor as the possible Zodiac? This would answer the question of wether or not Fitcher believed himself that the proposed cluprit was in his opinion the real Zodiac killer. Questions remain unanswered, but this obsessive compulsive crime drama electricifies.

The most extraordinary film I have ever seen. Shot I one breath as they say with 2,000 actors, 3 orchestras, 300 years of Russian History

Hilarious, riveting, an evocative tribute to the bonds among sisters, mothers and daughters told with humor and affection. Should be the national film of Spanish women. One of the best films of 2006.

A Little Music Goes A Long Way: A little music film that moves emotional mountains. Once is diamond in the ruff. Amateurishly filmed, it looks as if it was shot by someone with a handheld camera (I guess anyone can make a movie these days) a painfully obvious small to no existent budget, with actors that seems as though they were taken from the streets of Dublin, and an even smaller production quality, Once is not slick, not spectacular and definitely not your average Hollywood music film and yet it is a truly moving film. At the heart of Once is it?s soulful music, better than most of the rubbish on the radio or on the pop charts, the music comes from the soul and brings the film to life. The music acts as dialogue saying more than the ordinary conversation ever could, and offers the audience a poetic look at the inner most feelings of the characters. A modern day romantic fairytale set in the ordinary spoken world and in the spiritual sung world, alternating between the two. And yet the two worlds only really come together for a brief moment and then are pulled apart and there lies the sad truth. The realities of the world await the characters once the music writing, making and singing end. A beautiful film full of humanity Once is a gem. A film like Once only really comes around once in a while, so don?t miss it.

Carey Mulligan is a Sensation, this girl is the real deal, totally encompassing her role, creating a vividly luicd character. A lock for a nomination, perhaps even a winner. All told An Education is an excellent film, beautiful to watch, with great poigancy in its social commentary and ulimate ending.

A dark comedy that is almost a cunning soical satire. Sharp, depressing, uplifting and ultimately rediming. Extraordinary film.

Liberal Geo-Political Film Remarkable But Murky. Syriana cleverly poses a global problem: the world is addicted to oil and there isn't enough for everyone and most of the oil is in unstable governments. Although Syriana is excellent at showing what not to do, it has no clear solution of its own.

Propaganda at it's best, Leni Reichenstal would be proud of old Micheal. I mean, come on this could have been a great documentary if it wasn't so blatantly biased.

Astounding, best science fiction film in years.

Henry Thoreau once said: "The mass of men lead lives of quite desperation." I cannot think of a cinematic character since Travis Bickle (Taxi Driver), who leads a life more quite or more desperate than Dan Dunne. Played by the up-and-coming Ryan Gosling in an Academy Award nominated performance amongst the very best of 06, who creates such a compelling, complex, realist and more importantly vulnerable contemporary character. Much of the films attention focuses on his drug addiction and his relationship with one of his students. I would argue that the film suggests that in a way all the characters have a drug of choice wether it be a lolly pop (the young girl), alcohol (Dan's parents), news items (the teacher in the staff lounge) or literally narcotics in the case of Dan Dunne, a drug to help the characters deal with the harsh world in which they live and ultimately we live in. In a sense the film has a strong existential current which is highlighted in the dread, boredom, alienation, the absurd, freedom, commitment and nothingness the characters experience. This idea is easily picked up apon due to the large 'room for thought' the film leaves the viewers. Realism/the contemporary is essential to existenialism and plays a major role in the film through the jaunted film style, dialogue and story. The film is not only profound but also very touching particularly in the student teacher relationship, where the teacher doesn't have all the answers and the student teaches the teacher. A great performance at the core of a great film.

Two Thumbs Up For Phoenix And Witherspoon. With outstanding lead performances, a gripping love story of redemption and great music it is a heart-capturing film. Oscar bound performance by Reese Witherspoon a highlight of her career. You'll be ginning and singing for a long time.

Packs Powerful Punch. One of the Best Boxing films I have ever seen. Tearful and Joyful, Violent and Disarming, Powerful and Beautiful, all the reasons why I love the movies. Russell Crowe's best performance yet, an Academy Award Movie. It brings out the Irish in all of us.