20 Best Films of the Decade - Part I

When I wrote a post about the TOP TWENTY BEST FILMS OF THE DECADE I purposefully didn't discuss each film because that would have been a crazy long post and I try never to write crazy long posts.

But y'all wanted more info, including ratings and storyline so here goes...each title is linked to the imdb website if you want more info. Almost all of the movies which are R rated I have only seen edited so I cannot comment on suggestive content, but I will tell you where you can likely see it edited.

Almost Famous
(Rated R - but is often shown on television).
This movie is loosely based on the real experiences of the writer/director Cameron Crow and is the story of a teenage boy in the 70's who convinces Rolling Stones Magazine (via telephone) that he is a an adult and they send him on tour with an up and coming rock band. It is well written, funny and filled with unexpected gems of life-lessons tucked into seamlessly entertaining film-making.

A Beautiful Mind
(Rated PG13 - some infrequent bad language, scenes of violence, no sex)
This is a bio pic of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician and winner of the Nobel Prize. His accomplishments and personal life are marred by a struggle with mental illness. Russel Crowe's performance is amazing as is Jennifer Connely's as his wife. This movie is completely fascinating...one to watch after the kids are asleep.

Lost In Translation
(Rated R - but is often shown on television..or email me if you want to know how to get an edited copy).
You probably heard about this film when it came out and at the following Oscars. It's a story of two strangers connecting in Tokyo and the ways their lives effect each other. Brilliant performances from Bill Murray as a washed up performer with family troubles and from Scarlett Johanson as a young, bored and dissatisfied girlfriend. There relationship is sweet and unexpected.

In America
(Rated PG13 for implied non-explicit sex, minor drug references, brief violence and mild language.)
The story of a family immigrating to America from Ireland after the loss of a child, their struggle to make it in New York City with a struggling actor for a father and their unexpected relationship with a tenant in their building. I loooove this film. I'm pretty confident you will too.

Chicago
(Rated PG13 for sexual content and dialogue, violence and thematic elements. Conservatives may want to catch this on TV as well, since it is a particularly bawdy PG13).
An amazing adaptation of a longtime hit Broadway musical, this is a feast for then eyes. Amazing dancing by all leads, although I could do without Richard Gere altogether, and I really entertaining film.

Elf
(Rated PG for some mild rude humor and mild language.)
Do I really need to write a synopsis for Elf?

The Queen
(Rated PG-13 for brief strong language).
I'm the first to admit that this film is not going to be everyone's cup of tea. For many (particularly men of the "action film" variety) this film will seem agonizingly slow moving. But I was enthralled by every minute. Helen Mirren's portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II is simply the best acting I have ever seen. Period. This film documents the week following Princess Diana's death and the Queen coming to terms with an ever-changing public opinion of Monarchy in Britain. Also of note is a fantastic performance by Michael Sheen as British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

Breach
(Rated PG13 for some violence, mild sexual content and language).
A portrayal of the greatest traitor the United States FBI Agency has ever had. A young and newly hired FBI agent is given the task of spying on his his boss, Robert Hanssen, an agent who was ultimately convicted of selling secrets to the Soviet Union. This is based on a true story and that makes it even more compelling to watch.

Frost/Nixon
(Rated R for some language...now, this is the only Rated R film on this list I actually saw unedited. And I have to report, that as far as justification goes, this one was an easy-justify for me. Specifically, this movie contains 6-8 swear words, 3 of which are the F word. I would probably not have issue showing it to a High School age teen study Richard Nixon/Watergate in School....I'm just sayin'.)
A dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon. Having said that, I found this film fascinating, well-acted, informative and riveting. I only wish I had brushed up on Watergate before viewing the film.

Doubt
(Rated PG-13. No bad content, but theme is VERY adult. Don't watch with the kiddos and maybe restrict teens as well.)
Amazing amazing amazing performances by Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. Well written, thought provoking and almost haunting for a time after you watch it. My husband and I are still at odds over what we feel the truth was by film's end. There are also so many layers of plot, that you could easily watch this again and again and still be fascinated.

Stay tuned for Part II tomorrow.