20 Best Films of the Decade - Part II

Welcome to Part II of my list of the decade's 20 best films!
Let's jump right in with some kid's movies and comedies, shall we?

Monsters Inc.
(Rated G)
Okay, I feel almost embarrassed saying this, but I have seen this moving probably close to 50 times and it still has an iron-clad plot. It is funny, charming, well-written and adorably cheeky. It is the best Pixar film to date in my opinion (with Toy Story 2 as a close second). I could sit down and watch this with my kids and never get bored.

Mr & Mrs Smith
(Rated PG13 for sequences of violence, some sexual content and brief strong language)
I really like this movie. It funny, sexy, fast paced and light hearted. It's about as close as I can get to an action movie without giving up my will to live. It's one The Hubbs and I can watch together. And what is better than Angelina Jolie's clothes in this film? Nothin'.

Enchanted
(Rated G)
I mean, c'mon. It's just a really well crafted family movie. And Amy Adams' performance is fantastic. It's got great music and a good story line. It is largely successful because it is not afraid to poke fun at the Disney Fairy Tale genre. No, it's not witty or subtle, but it is a great representation of what it claims to be...a family movie with heart and fun.

School of Rock
(Rated PG)
There has to be room in a truly complete list for movies that don't necessarily take on important political views, enrich the sole or shed light on world issues. Sometimes movies are great because they are enjoyable, funny and exactly what they say they are. School of Rock is just this sort of movie. It still makes me laugh, is a good family movie, has pretty good comedic performances and is fun. Plain and simple.

500 Days of Summer
(Rated PG13 for some sexual material and language. )
Like the film Chicago, on the previous installment of this list, sometimes a movie grabs you from the get go by the sheer fact that you sit in the theater thinking that you have never seen a movie quite like this before. 500 Days of Summer is a look at relationships which plays out of sequence, giving you spliced views of beginning, middle and end of one couple's romance and eventual break-up. It is so fresh and original and is also a great reflection of current relationship complexities. And besides all that, they had me at The Smiths.

And now for the TOP 4... (yes, there should be a top five, however I realized just today that one of the films was actually released in 1999)

New York Doll
(Rated PG13 for some drug content, but it's really not bad.)
This is the movie that helped me find my soul. Read my full previously posted review here.

About A Boy
(Rated PG13 for for brief strong language and some thematic elements)
This is the movie that made me change my mind about Hugh Grant being a slouch. He is charming and real in this film. And although spends much of the film being the anti-hero, you still like him and want him to succeed. The messages of the film are perfect. Accepting one's self, true happiness is born from relationships with others, role models, family relationship complexities, adolescent identity, depression and the bonds which all people form in order to navigate life. However, these message are wrapped up seamlessly in a quirky, vibrant and funny package that is easy to watch and even easier to fall in love with.

The Royal Tenenbaums
(Rated R, but often shown on television and we own an edited copy if anyone wants a copy of our copy).
I believe you have to see this film 3 times to fully know if you love it of think it's really strange. But I...LOVE it! In the small handful of movies that can make me cry...this is one of them. It's funny, unusual, heartfelt and gorgeously crafted. And the soundtrack is TO DIE FOR! This is one of my Top 5 movies of ALL TIME.

Amelie
(Rated R, but is sometimes shown on Television. We also have an edited copy anyone can borrow)
Where do I begin? A flawless story-line, flawless performance by the lead and delicious scenery. The message of the film gently seeps into your subconscious and I love a movie that does not try to bludgeon you with their intended agenda. This story is sweet, meaningful and captivating.