National Lampoon’s Van Wilder [2002] 19%This movie introduced the bigger world to Ryan Reynolds, who here plays a perverted seventh year college student and manages to capture all the charm that his low life character really needs for you to root for him. It also makes you think differently about a lot of gags that really qualify as some of the best cringe-inducing college humor this decade.
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist [2008] 72%
Michael Cera proves he is the offbeat type-cast lover in this story of one night searching for the band Where’s Fluffy while finding the love of Kat Dennings, who gives her best performance this decade as they swap stories on mix tapes and many bands you probably only know if you qualify as underground chic. But together, it recalls the light hearted joys of a 1980’s romantic comedy in a modern day New York and calls for a good time.
No Country for Old Men [2007] 94%
The first movie of the Coen Brothers that I saw on the big screen and started my interest. The film may not be all that favorable for me, but it does manage to have a lasting impression due to an amazing villain that makes the movie a little bit more tolerable in watching it. Otherwise, sure it’s fun, but without Javier Bardem (just like without Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight”), this movie would have sucked.
Old School [2003] 60%The butt seen around the world. The introduction to Will Ferrell as the wild and crazy man child that would later lead him to box office failures. But with solid supporting roles from Vince Vaughn and Luke Wilson, this tale of three older men aiming to make a fraternity was hilarious and in every way politically incorrect. Also, good luck having children and not thinking of using the word earmuffs.
Over the Hedge [2006] 74%
Another Dreamworks Animation movie that I felt was really good, if just for the amazing array of voice work. Sure, Pixar had the stories, but Dreamworks had the voices. In this movie alone, you have Bruce Willis, Eugene Levy, Wanda Sykes, and Steve Carrell as one of the most memorable squirrels you’ll ever see. The story may be leaning towards anarchy, but in the end, it’s a good time with great animation.
Pan’s Labyrinth [2006] 95%Guillermo Del Toro’s dark fairytale movie was an amazing achievement. Not only had he captured my interest in superheroes with “Hellboy”, but he managed to whisk me away visually in “Pan’s Labyrinth”. This movie alone is the reason I like Del Toro’s directing style and he remains unmatched as a visual artist.
Pineapple Express [2008] 68%
My favorite stoner comedy of the decade saw Seth Rogen and James Franco teaming up again in a perfect mix of comedy and action. This movie is also producer Judd Apatow’s second most quotable movie behind “Anchorman” and solidifies Rogen as one of my favorite actors. It also was accompanied by an amazing trailer, which catapulted the already amazing artist M.I.A. into stardom with a year old song called “Paper Planes” that lead to too much sampling, a couple Grammy nominations, and an Oscar one as well.
The Princess Diaries [2001] 47%
Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you Anne Hathaway. Like “Enchanted” would later do for Amy Adams, “The Princess Diaries” exposed the talented Hathaway to the world as an unlikely princess. The story may be very cutesy, but it presented hope with solid performances. The sequel also produced a classic song, Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway”. What has Hathaway done since then? Oh, she’s been nominated for an Oscar for playing a recovering addict in “Rachel Getting Married”, which she rightfully deserved because she was the only thing worth remembering from it.
Punch-Drunk Love [2002] 79%
By this decade, everyone was getting sick of Adam Sandler’s childish buffoonery. Oddly, I was just discovering it, and I found it really funny (don’t judge me, I’ve seen “Little Nicky” seven times). But then, this movie came along and confused the hell out of me, but gave Sandler chance to explore other characters. The result is one of his solid dramatic takes that lead to “Spanglish” and “Reign Over Me”, neither of which could top his performance here.
Reign Over Me [2007] 63%This take on a man who has lost his whole family on September 11, 2001 was really an amazing effort that saw Adam Sandler returning to a dramatic form. Riding around on an electric scooter and playing the Who on headphones, Sandler is discovered by old roommate Don Cheadle, who aims to help him. The chemistry is top notch and puts faith in me that just when you think you’ve figured out Sandler, he surprises you.
Religulous [2008] 69%
I doubt that this movie answered any real questions for me, but it did open doors. Bill Maher’s quest to prove religion as a sham is more amusing than accurate, but manages to come across less forceful than Michael Moore. The reason it works is that Maher doesn’t insult his subjects, moreso tries to understand them, resulting in often hilarious moments where the audience will at least once have an unrelated epiphany.
Road Trip [2000] 59%When we look at Tom Green, we will obviously think of the bizarre crap of “Freddy Got Fingered”. Somehow, this predecessor captures him in the same demented way, but it is done so much better as he just serves as narrator for a group going on one of the weirdest road trips ever. The movie features some of the most creative disasters you’ll ever laugh at.
RockNRolla [2008] 59%
If you think Martin Scorcese is the God of Italian American mobs, then consider Guy Ritchie England’s. This movie featured a coming of two different generations of English mobsters with excellent narration and stylized violence lead by a straight out of “300” Gerard Butler in one of his best roles. With an excellent soundtrack and script, Ritchie proves he is one of the funnest directors working today.
Role Models [2008] 76%
Usually men behaving badly calls for the cliché axe. Somehow, in “Role Models” the results are opposite as Seann William Scott and Paul Rudd take care of Bobb’e J. Thompson and Christopher Mintz Plasse in a way so sleazy yet so hilarious. It’s one of the few comedic gold pieces that the worse things get, the better time you’re going to have.
The Royal Tenenbaums [2001] 79%Wes Anderson’s best film of the decade manages to analyze dysfunctional family life so perfectly in his dry wit. The superb casting, featuring Gene Hackman, Alec Baldwin, and Ben Stiller calls for a time to sit back, feel for the characters, but never once lose a bizarre bit of fuzziness from joy.
Scary Movie [2000] 52%
The parody movie that promised no sequels, but probably single-handedly took down an entire genre. Of course, when it came out, it was very funny and the jokes were fresh, making it one of the Wayans Brothers’ best. With solid performances and an introduction to Anna Faris, this movie deserves every laugh it gets, but a slap to the face for everything it did afterwards.
Shaun of the Dead [2004] 91%People used to say “Shaun of the Dead” was the ultimate zombie satire due to an amazingly pre-bromance romantic comedy addition. Since November 2009, they argue that “Zombieland” is better. I still think this one is the greatest because it pits probably my favorite British trifecta (Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Edgar Wright) into a conflict to save the satire genre and makes it something more.
Shrek [2001] 89%It’s not hard to aknowledge that this film is the “Toy Story” of Dreamworks Animation, launching the company into relevance with this take on everyone’s favorite fairytales. With voice work from Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, this movie had all the bite that made it universal. producing several sequels and spin-offs, but never to be topped by the original.
The Simpsons Movie [2007] 90%Even if this movie was bad, it was going to be on this list. Thankfully, my love of “The Simpsons” transfers well here.
Sin City [2005] 77%
Probably one of the best comic book adaptations takes a good look at the nitty gritty life of Sin City and introduces us to a world narrated by strippers and sloths. With amazing dramatic flair and visual appearance, it’s hard to find a film more likely to transfer you into a fantasy world (yes, even “Avatar”) better than this one.
Comments
Post a Comment