The Best of the 2000's

At the end of the year in 2009, I embarked on quest to 'Round-Up' the 2000's in Film. I entitled this quest, the 12 Days of Christmas. With each day came a new listing of the 'Best Of...'. I've gathered all the days and lists below for your convenience and enjoyment.

Day 1: Top 100 Films of the 2000's

Day 2: The Best Performances of the 2000's

Day 3: The Best Horror Films of the 2000's

Day 4: The Best Dramas of the 2000's

Day 5: The Best Action Films of the 2000's

Day 6: Best Animated Films & Family Films of the 2000's

Day 7: Best Foreign Films & Documentaries of the 2000's

Day 8: Guilty Pleasures of the 2000's

Day 9: The Best Dramatic Sequences of the 2000's

Day 10: The Best Action Sequences of the 2000's

Day 11: The Most Underrated of the 2000's

Day 12: The Most Overrated of the 2000's

Best Dramas of the 2000's

Day 4: The Best Dramas of the 2000's

Continuing my best of the 2000's list comes this one featuring the best dramas of the decade. I've decided to make it a Top 25 list to minimize the duplication possibly find in the final Top 100 of the decade list. Feel free to leave comments.

25-21

25. The Squid and the Whale (2005)
24. The Class (2008)
23. Doubt (2008)
22. Rachel Getting Married (2008)
21. The Lives of Others (2007)

20-16

20. Pieces of April (2003)
19. Zodiac (2007)
18. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
17. Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002)
16. City of God (2003)

15-11

15. Crash (2005)
14. In America (2003)
13. Road to Perdition (2002)
12. American Gangster (2007)
11. The Prestige (2006)

10-1

10. Finding Neverland (2004)

9. A Beautiful Mind (2001)

8. No Country for Old Men (2007)

7. Before Sunset (2004)

6. Unbreakable (2000)

5. Cast Away (2000)

4. Mystic River (2003)

3. The Passion of the Christ (2004)

2. United 93 (2006)

1. Munich (2005)
No film challenges me more than this one. The structure, plot, and arguments all play with and on my viewpoints as I watch this film. Richly layered with several intersecting themes and ideas, Munich also plays as a first rate thriller as well. Although it scored an Oscar nomination, I think this is one of Spielberg's masterpieces that has been overlooked. It cleverly plays on themes and ideas in his other masterpiece Schindler's List. While I think that Schindler is a better film, it's also an easier one. Munich challenges and interacts with Schindler, but it's also a harder film to enjoy and to walk away from. Simply the best drama of the 2000s.

Best Action Films of the 2000's

Day 5: Best Action Films of the 2000's

Just a quick note on what constitutes a great 'Action' film. This isn't a test of which is a better 'film', but which is a better film that delivers action in any and every way. Thus, some of the ordering on this list might seem odd since a film like The Dark Knight might be a better 'film' than The Matrix Reloaded, it definitely doesn't deliver better action. Neither is just a compilation of action scenes, but a film that delivers, frames, and gives context to the best action sequences. Questions? Good, I'm glad I explained that so clearly leaving no doubt. So, with that in mind, enjoy my top 50 Best Action Films of the 2000's. Feel free to leave comments.

50-41

50. Mission Impossible 3 (2006)
49. New Police Story (2004)
48. Deja Vu (2006)
47. Poseidon (2006)
46. Fast & Furious (2009)
45. The Tournament (2009)
44. Taken (2009)
43. Apocalypto (2006)
42. Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
41. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)

40-31

40. Public Enemies (2009)
39. Jumper (2008)
38. The Italian Job (2003)
37. Rambo (2008)
36. Quantum of Solace (2008)
35. The Rundown (2003)
34. Batman Begins (2005)
33. Transporter 2 (2005)
32. Blade II (2002)
31. Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

30-21

30. Kung Fu Hustle (2005)
29. Kiss of the Dragon (2002)
28. Equilibrium (2002)
27. Unleashed (2005)
26. Hero (2004)
25, Flash Point (2008)
24. Ong Bak 2 (2009)
23. Minority Report (2002)
22. Gladiator (2000)
21. Chocolate (2009)

20-11

20. Kill Zone
19. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
18. Ong Bak (2005)
17. Fearless: Director's Cut (2006)
16. King Kong (2005)
15. X2: United (2003)
14. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
13. Red Cliff Parts 1 & 2 (2009)
12. The Protector (2006)
11. Ip Man (2009)

10-1

10. The Dark Knight (2008)

9. Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 (2003, 2004)

8. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

7. The Bourne Identity (2002)

6. Black Hawk Down (2001)

5. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Underrated as an action film, this one is packed with great action from a stunning (and quite epic) opener to the final showdowns.

4. Casino Royale (2006)
Solid action work in this film. The first half is nearly wall to wall action.

3. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
I can hear everyone saying, 'huh?" Think about it, this film has nearly all the styles of action one looks for, and does it with utmost quality. Kung Fu fights, Weapons fights, Gun Fights, and car chases, all included in this film. Is there a more diverse film when it comes to action?

2. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
If your looking for a better Kung Fu flick, than look no further. The whole gamut of fight categories is hit on here, 1 on 1s, weapons, group fights, and wire fights. Top notch.

1. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
Perhaps the most definitive action film of the decade. Everything from the fight sequences, car chases, editing, and music have influenced the action genre. In fact, the influence of this film is so strong, that James Bond himself was recast in the style of Bourne.

Best Animated Films & Family Films of the 2000's

Day 6: Best Animated Films & Family Films of the 2000's

Best Animated Films

20-16

20. Up (2009)
19. Flushed Away (2006)
18. Treasure Planet (2002)
17. Sinbad: The Legend of the Seven Seas (2003)
16. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)

15-11

15. Spirited Away (2002)

14. Shrek the Third (2007)

13. The Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

12. Corpse Bride (2005)

11. Bolt (2008)

10-1

10. Monsters Inc. (2001)

9. Chicken Run (2000)

8. The Incredibles (2004)

7. Coraline (2009)

6. Shrek (2001)

5. Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
It's like a laid back family version of Airplane!, and I mean that as a compliment. For those who have seen the movie, my favorite joke is 'pansy' spray.

4. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Soft spoken and unassuming, this was the surprise animated film of 2008. Jack Black was made to play this Panda.

3. The Emperor's New Groove (2000)
Different than your typical Disney film, it's also (outside of Pixar) Disney's best effort of the 2000s.

2. Shrek 2 (2004)
One of the best theater experiences I've ever had, this film just plain entertains me. Packed with great comedic bits, action sequences, and memorable characters, this is a sit down and watch anytime film for me.

1. Finding Nemo (2003)
My favorite animated film of all-time contains everything you would look for and a few surprises as well. Funny and entertaining, gorgeous to look at, and emotionally resonant, it's a classic.

Top Ten Family Films

10. Holes (2003)

9. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

8. Freaky Friday (2003)

7. A Night at the Museum (2006)

6. Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)

5. Peter Pan (2003)
Filled with great themes and subtext, this is an adventure filled adaptation that has become my favorite version.

4. The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
Well directed by Mark Waters and featuring some surprisingly adept action sequences.

3. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
Overlooked on its release, this film contains a surprisingly strong message for families that applies even more so for broken ones.

2. Speed Racer (2008)
Underneath the special effects and visuals is a heart warming tale of family strength.

1. Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
The best family film of the decade. Strongly performed and with an inspiring story, this is a family film that will move mom and dad as well. One of 2006's best films.

Best Foreign Films & Documentaries of the 2000's

Day 7: The Best Foreign Films & Documentaries of the 2000's

Top 20 Foreign Films

20-16

20 Volver (2006)
19. In the Mood for Love (2000)
18. Russian Ark (2003)
17. Kung Fu Hustle (2005)
16. Kill Zone (2005)

15-11

15. Downfall (2005)
14. Red Cliff Parts 1 & 2 (2009)
13. The Counterfeiters (2008)
12. Black Book (2006)
11. Ip Man (2009)

10-6

10. Shaolin Soccer (2001)
9. Happy- Go-Lucky (2008)
8. The Host (2006)
7. Infernal Affairs (2004)
6. Hero (2004)

5-2

5. The Class (2008)
4. The Lives of Others (2007)
3. Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002)
2. City of God (2003)

Best Foreign Film of the 2000's
1. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Top Ten Documentaries of the 2000's

10-6

10. The Fog of War (2003)
9. Lake of Fire (2007)
8. Touching the Void (2003)
7. King of Kong: Fistful of Quarters (2007)
6. Man on Wire (2008)

5-2

5. Encounters at the Edge of the World (2008)
4. Capturing the Friedmans (2003)
3. Grizzly Man (2005)
2. Spellbound (2003)

Best Documentary of the 2000's
1. Stevie (2003)