best films of the 21st century

Message Bookmarked
Bookmark Removed

BBC poll weighs in

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160819-the-21st-centurys-100-greatest-films-who-voted

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160819-the-21st-centurys-100-greatest-films

as always, individuals more compelling than consensus results

I haven't seen some of these in 15 years, so i have no opinion

The Hon. J. Piedmont Mumblethunder (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:37 (seven years ago) link

tt said she'd poll the top 50, but this way we get to consider the lot of 'em

imago, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:43 (seven years ago) link

Correctly called #1 immediately as I'm sure did everyone a

the enigma of dagmar krause (wins), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:44 (seven years ago) link

It's certainly my #1.

I think the presence of a Nolan film (let alone two Nolan films) kinda invalidates this list, though.

Two Kisses and Three Wet Mouths (Old Lunch), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:46 (seven years ago) link

list is not terrible imo, tho the dark night, spring breakers, and only lovers left alive need to gtfo

johnny crunch, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:46 (seven years ago) link

llewyn davis continues to seemingly be really overappreciated also idgi

johnny crunch, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:47 (seven years ago) link

just glancing at the individual lists I would guess #1 and #2 finished comfortably ahead of the pack, looks like at least one is included in almost every list.

more interested in looking at individual lists to find the most off-the-wall selections.

evol j, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:47 (seven years ago) link

for a second there I thought someone had put Zero Dark Thirty as their no. 1

calzino, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:47 (seven years ago) link

best anglocentric films of the 21st century plus the odd gesture

Herodotus Reading (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:47 (seven years ago) link

I already see someone voted for Step Brothers.

evol j, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:47 (seven years ago) link

The movies I've seen in the top 10 (Mulholland, TWBB, Spirited Away, Eternal Sunshine, Tree of Life) would probably be in my own top 10, with Tree of Life a very close 2nd.

Two Kisses and Three Wet Mouths (Old Lunch), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:48 (seven years ago) link

let's be real, this is a shit list with a few great films on it

imago, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:50 (seven years ago) link

I can tell from this guy's picks that he's probably an awful person:

Michael Arbeiter – Nerdist (US)

1. Synecdoche, New York (Charlie Kaufman, 2008)
2. Mulholland Drive (David Lynch, 2001)
3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry, 2004)
4. Black Swan (Darren Aronofsky, 2010)
5. The Comedy (Rick Alverson, 2012)
6. Melancholia (Lars von Trier, 2011)
7. Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino, 2009)
8. Inside Llewyn Davis (Joel and Ethan Coen, 2013)
9. Only Lovers Left Alive (Jim Jarmusch, 2013)
10. The Congress (Ari Folman, 2013)

socka flocka-jones (man alive), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:51 (seven years ago) link

Definitely a lot of films on this list where it seems like their placement is related to other better, earlier films by the same director....

One bad call from barely losing to (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:57 (seven years ago) link

I'm certainly not about to get on board with a Mulholland Dr. backlash, I love that film. Just saw it in a cinema for the first time in over a decade last week

the enigma of dagmar krause (wins), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:58 (seven years ago) link

Haven't really looked at this list

the enigma of dagmar krause (wins), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:58 (seven years ago) link

Has anyone seen the Headless Woman? It sounds pretty interesting.

emil.y, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 15:59 (seven years ago) link

Mulholland Drive is totally excellent (as is No Country For Old Men). In The Mood For Love is fine, but not a patch on earlier Wong. Best movie of the century for any of them, no....

One bad call from barely losing to (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:00 (seven years ago) link

Oh love Mullholland Drive too, I just think that guy's ten taken together make him sound like a miserable and misanthropic bastard.

socka flocka-jones (man alive), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:01 (seven years ago) link

xxp I haven't, but I have seen La Cienaga and the Holy Girl and they were both great.

One bad call from barely losing to (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:02 (seven years ago) link

No Stray Dogs, no credibility.

Other than that, though, it's about as good as could be hoped? A bunch of boring oscar-pap - American or international - way too many dull films by 90's indie heroes. But three from Weerasethakul, Werckmeister Harmonies. Could be worse.

Frederik B, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:02 (seven years ago) link

The Headless Woman is a masterpiece, yes. I need to watch La Cienaga, and cannot wait to see her new film.

Frederik B, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:03 (seven years ago) link

@Glenn__Kenny
Hey ladies, MY ballot is TWENTY percent female directors yo

The Hon. J. Piedmont Mumblethunder (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:07 (seven years ago) link

one dude put Jersey Boys #1

johnny crunch, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:08 (seven years ago) link

lol

the enigma of dagmar krause (wins), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:08 (seven years ago) link

‏@labuzamovies
.@Support how do I mute every person talking about a list and whether things are properly ranked

that said, a mere 2 votes for Munich is garbage

The Hon. J. Piedmont Mumblethunder (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:08 (seven years ago) link

xxp I haven't, but I have seen La Cienaga and the Holy Girl and they were both great.

― One bad call from barely losing to (Alex in SF), Tuesday, August 23, 2016 5:02 PM (1 minute ago)

Cool, I will keep an eye out for any chance to watch her work. The synopses aren't necessarily striking on their own (I could imagine shitty films being made out of any of them) but the consensus seems to be she shoots and paces really interestingly.

emil.y, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:10 (seven years ago) link

xp 2 votes for Munich is definitely garbage.

One bad call from barely losing to (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:11 (seven years ago) link

oh youuuu

The Hon. J. Piedmont Mumblethunder (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:12 (seven years ago) link

Did each person only pick 10 films? Slightly baffled by placing of stuff like Amelie and the secrets in their eyes

the enigma of dagmar krause (wins), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:13 (seven years ago) link

xp ;-)

One bad call from barely losing to (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:14 (seven years ago) link

pretty unfuckwithable top 2 imo. i just saw MD recently and it's all i've been thinking about

love "the new world" showing up, too -- the further i get from that, the more fondly i remember it. "i may have sailed past mine" still slays. that said my favorite malick is "to the wonder"

Yes only 10 it looks like and Amelie was on five ballots.

One bad call from barely losing to (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:14 (seven years ago) link

That's demented

the enigma of dagmar krause (wins), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:15 (seven years ago) link

Was it Labuza who put Jersey Boys at 1? Saw him talking how it was an auterist meta-masterpiece or something on twitter a while back.

Secrets in Their Eyes has that one single great shot, at the football stadium. Worth seeing for that shot exclusively, that shot might even be enough for it to be one of the better oscar winners. But, uhm, Argentina has given us an awful lot of superior movies than that.

Frederik B, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:16 (seven years ago) link

if you're going to bother complaining about this, complain about boyhood at #5

Immediate Follower (NA), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:17 (seven years ago) link

no votes for "to the wonder" :(

a friend voted for Ingl****ous Bast***s; this will go unmentioned in our next conversation bcz i really try to be a nice guy most of the time.

The Hon. J. Piedmont Mumblethunder (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:18 (seven years ago) link

lol it's p obvious from his tweet Labuza did not vote

if you're going to bother complaining about this, complain about boyhood at #5

Not when it kept the Before Diarrheas outta the top 70

The Hon. J. Piedmont Mumblethunder (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:19 (seven years ago) link

yeah, I think I may be officially too old to complain about lists -- this one actually giving me a lot of ideas of stuff to watch. That said, I will continue to say The Wrestler is the best movie Aronofsky has made so far.

Dominique, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:20 (seven years ago) link

Zodiac is at number 12. I haven't seen it, but can anyone explain to me why this might have stayed in so many people's minds as something to vote for?

I've got a lot of these on DVD, still unwatched.

i love "inglorious basterds", but i'd put the kill bills above them. pretty surprised they didn't crack the top 100

above it*

Zodiac also one I haven't seen. Can anyone tell me which of these I should see first?

2. In the Mood for Love (Wong Kar-wai, 2000)
12. Zodiac (David Fincher, 2007)
15. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (Cristian Mungiu, 2007)
16. Holy Motors (Leos Carax, 2012)
23. Caché (Michael Haneke, 2005)
26. 25th Hour (Spike Lee, 2002)

Dominique, Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:23 (seven years ago) link

In the Mood for Love somewhat overrated, There Will Be Blood desperately so

The Hon. J. Piedmont Mumblethunder (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:24 (seven years ago) link

This is actually a good way to discern which of these critics are worth keeping an eye on.

In the Mood for Love and Caché are both genuinely excellent, though I'd favour ItMfL for immediate watchability, if that's a consideration.

Zodiac is at number 12. I haven't seen it, but can anyone explain to me why this might have stayed in so many people's minds as something to vote for?

Cuz it's really good, well shot and acted.

One bad call from barely losing to (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:26 (seven years ago) link

..and it's a (murder)geek movie.

no, critics as consumer guides has been established as rong awhile ago

xp

The Hon. J. Piedmont Mumblethunder (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:27 (seven years ago) link

25th Hour is skipable. I'd say the rest are well worth watching in any order.

One bad call from barely losing to (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:28 (seven years ago) link

25th Hour was Lee's best film in years.

The Hon. J. Piedmont Mumblethunder (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 23 August 2016 16:29 (seven years ago) link

I must watch Down with Love (Reed). I love that JR uses the serious "surname only" format in his brackets.

I think I probably saw 30% of The Clock too. It was a fine few hours, but I'd rather not think of it as a film.

Alba, Wednesday, 21 June 2017 19:58 (six years ago) link

If one allows O.J. Made in America, one must allow The Clock.

insidious assymetrical weapons (Eric H.), Wednesday, 21 June 2017 20:16 (six years ago) link

And the "Single Ladies" music video.

insidious assymetrical weapons (Eric H.), Wednesday, 21 June 2017 20:17 (six years ago) link

and Jerry Lewis' last telethon monologue about p0rn

Supercreditor (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 21 June 2017 20:18 (six years ago) link

Embrace of the Serpent should start making it onto some lists imo

jmm, Wednesday, 21 June 2017 21:25 (six years ago) link

It would be on my list, jmm. I don't think my list will be published.

Alba, Wednesday, 21 June 2017 21:27 (six years ago) link

i liked it fine, but a little too psychedelic for greatness.

Supercreditor (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 21 June 2017 21:53 (six years ago) link

I liked it too but better film touching on similar subject called Ixcanul you should check out.

the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 21 June 2017 22:05 (six years ago) link

Too hard to put this order, so top 15 I really really love

Children of Men
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
A History of violence
The Tree of Life
Another Year
Anomalisa
Cache
Bad Santa
American Splendor
Im Not There
Offside
Chopper
Dead Man's Shoes
Team America: World Police
Worlds greatest dad

Inside Llewyn Davis
Blue is the warmest colour
Toni Erdmann
American honey
Synecdoche, New York
There Will Be Blood
Dogville
Apocalypto
Before the devil knows youre dead
Elephant

Well bissogled trotters (Michael B), Wednesday, 21 June 2017 22:19 (six years ago) link

the other 10 are almost a 10/10 imo

Well bissogled trotters (Michael B), Wednesday, 21 June 2017 22:19 (six years ago) link

Before the devil knows youre dead

among my most hated.

Supercreditor (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 21 June 2017 22:23 (six years ago) link

Embrace of the Serpent > Ixcanul. I'm not sure how similar they are, though. Wouldn't put either on them on a top 25 either.

Frederik B, Wednesday, 21 June 2017 22:24 (six years ago) link

Another Year

I confused this with personal worst of the century contender A Good Year and was pretty shaken for a moment.

devvvine, Wednesday, 21 June 2017 22:27 (six years ago) link

Before the devil knows youre dead

among my most hated.

― Supercreditor (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, June 21, 2017 10:23 PM (three minutes ago)

PSH so great in this

Well bissogled trotters (Michael B), Wednesday, 21 June 2017 22:27 (six years ago) link

Embrace of the Serpent > Ixcanul. I'm not sure how similar they are, though. Wouldn't put either on them on a top 25 either.

― Frederik B, Wednesday, June 21, 2017 6:24 PM (

nor a top 50

the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 21 June 2017 22:31 (six years ago) link

yeah if you're counting 25 films in 17 years, usu has to be in top 2 or 3 annually at least

i think in Cinema Valhalla, both Lumet and PSH regret lasting long enough to make that one.

Supercreditor (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 21 June 2017 22:41 (six years ago) link

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

Yeah, I think this and Fellowship of the Ring are the major hits I'd include.

jmm, Wednesday, 21 June 2017 23:07 (six years ago) link

Is there like a reason all these people are doing this shit (I know I know, "reason", lists, lol)

I guess it's important to take stock every um 17 years

more like matthew badlose (wins), Thursday, 22 June 2017 11:33 (six years ago) link

writing thoughtful close reading to a deadline is hard

pray for BoJo (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 22 June 2017 11:35 (six years ago) link

and nobody clicks on it

pray for BoJo (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 22 June 2017 11:35 (six years ago) link

Is there like a reason all these people are doing this shit (I know I know, "reason", lists, lol)

world's ending

the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 22 June 2017 11:37 (six years ago) link

aka the NY Times did a piece, which is why i dread their writing about any rep series in NYC.

Supercreditor (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 22 June 2017 11:41 (six years ago) link

I thought maybe I missed the latest Facebook game or something

more like matthew badlose (wins), Thursday, 22 June 2017 11:45 (six years ago) link

Think Hoberman got it abt right when he wrote (in that link above), "...there’s nothing that even a recovering film critic likes better than a list."

Bernie Lugg (Ward Fowler), Thursday, 22 June 2017 11:47 (six years ago) link

Not even films

more like matthew badlose (wins), Thursday, 22 June 2017 11:48 (six years ago) link

1. Films
2. Booze

the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 22 June 2017 11:49 (six years ago) link

1. Acting Superior
2. Lists
3. Films
4. Booze

Frederik B, Thursday, 22 June 2017 12:15 (six years ago) link

Did I miss it when someone challenged you, Alfred, to put a list on your blog every day?

insidious assymetrical weapons (Eric H.), Thursday, 22 June 2017 12:54 (six years ago) link

(And, yes, lists are the best thing ever.)

insidious assymetrical weapons (Eric H.), Thursday, 22 June 2017 12:55 (six years ago) link

Did I miss it when someone challenged you, Alfred, to put a list on your blog every day?

― insidious assymetrical weapons (Eric H.),

No challenge – it's fun. If lists were the only things I was writing, it would embarrass me.

the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 22 June 2017 13:02 (six years ago) link

Top 10 Embarrassing Lists Alfred Made in May

Frederik B, Thursday, 22 June 2017 13:07 (six years ago) link

xp *Drag Race shade rattle*

insidious assymetrical weapons (Eric H.), Thursday, 22 June 2017 13:09 (six years ago) link

ppl love and engage with lists unfortunately

ToddBonzalez (BradNelson), Thursday, 22 June 2017 13:34 (six years ago) link

more lists! anger over Million Dollar Baby!

https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/4683-the-daily-more-top-twenty-fives

Supercreditor (Dr Morbius), Monday, 26 June 2017 01:58 (six years ago) link

Ugh

the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 26 June 2017 02:03 (six years ago) link

you're objecting, Senor Listicle?

Supercreditor (Dr Morbius), Monday, 26 June 2017 02:21 (six years ago) link

I'm objecting to the idea that "Steven Spielberg is a great director" is a thesis statement worth debating.

the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 26 June 2017 02:25 (six years ago) link

two years pass...

Dark Knight kicking things off, promising start right there.

I am pleased to see Être et avoir, which would make my shortlist and which much of the world seems to have forgotten.

Welcome To My Lifemare (Old Lunch), Friday, 13 September 2019 16:36 (four years ago) link

........Fucking Ted?

Really?

Welcome To My Lifemare (Old Lunch), Friday, 13 September 2019 16:38 (four years ago) link

i think i might've seen Être et avoir? but i will again if so. thx OL

a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Friday, 13 September 2019 16:42 (four years ago) link

i missed Fucking Ted, was it a sequel?

a wagon to the curious (Noodle Vague), Friday, 13 September 2019 16:42 (four years ago) link

Breaking Bad spinoff, iirc

icy bike chain rain (zchyrs), Friday, 13 September 2019 19:27 (four years ago) link

I can't believe people still rep for these:

94 Gladiator
80 Requiem for a Dream
77 Lost in Translation
37 Dogville
21 The White Ribbon
7 Synecdoche, NY
6 Hidden (Cache)

wasdnuos (abanana), Friday, 13 September 2019 23:22 (four years ago) link

I need another look at Synecdoche, a made-to-order film maudit

also liked Requiem back then

a Mets fan who gave up on everything in the mid '80s (Dr Morbius), Friday, 13 September 2019 23:29 (four years ago) link

thought the list was overall pretty good, although maybe not the order. I love at least four of those films you mention, abanana

Dan S, Saturday, 14 September 2019 01:26 (four years ago) link

Shit list.

Pauline Male (Eric H.), Saturday, 14 September 2019 13:49 (four years ago) link

At least there would be more anime in the ilx poll

xyzzzz__, Saturday, 14 September 2019 13:52 (four years ago) link

two years pass...

Watched Miguel Gomes' Tabu (2012) tonight, it is interesting. Not very many of the scenes you encounter feel like what you would expect the next scene in the film to be

Dan S, Saturday, 9 April 2022 01:29 (two years ago) link


You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.