Read the first installment of the series if you haven't already.
On to the countdown!
7. Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
This is starting to look like a "Top Ten Most Underrated Films" list. That won't continue the whole way, but for now... Where the Wild Things Are.
Because it was based on one of the most well-known children's books ever, people logically assumed that this was a children's movie. The marketing did little to contradict these assumptions.
It's not a children's movie.
It's a movie about children.
No movie I've ever seen captures the mind of a child like this one. Every scene past the first few could be straight out of a dream or the imagination of a kid. Weird things happen with no explanation. The characters behave in ways that seem ridiculous, but in exactly the way a child would expect them to. At times it's absolute unrestrained fun.
Most of the time though, it's bleak as hell.
This movie is bleak, spirit-crushing, and depressing in all the best possible ways.
It's a movie about a child on the cusp of no longer being a child, and he's realizing that. He's realizing that his actions have consequences. He's realizing that things rarely turn out the way we plan them (but maybe not as bad as we think).
Instead of simply being re-creations of the wild-eyed goofy critters in the book, the Wild Things are beautifully humanized. They have emotions, problems, opinions, physical pain, etc. Their facial expressions are especially well done. For a giant monster to be made as expressive as these were is amazing. Contrasted with their size and strength (illustrated by them smashing the shit out of pretty much everything), their sadness becomes even more powerful.
As kids we were all confused and unhappy at one point or another, and this movie makes me remember exactly how that felt.
6. The Dark Knight (2008)
I'd like to just put the whole Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy here but if I must narrow it down to one, this is the best of the lot.
Batman's always been my favorite superhero, so in the interest of full disclosure--I'm biased. Favorite movies, says the title.
These were the first superhero movies to be "realistic." I use that word very loosely as they're still preposterous (as is pretty much every single other movie ever made), but less so than most superhero movies. There are no aliens, no magic powers, no one turning themselves into electricity or stopping time.
Not only does this lessen the "Jesus Christ this is stupid" factor that dampens most comic book superhero films like a urine-soaked rag atop a bouquet of otherwise fragrant roses, it helps allow the human element to be showcased, which is what makes this series special.
Bruce Wayne has everything, but doesn't want it. He doesn't know what he wants, really. He pretty much hates his life.
He has a select few people and things worth living for and he has to fight for them--and sometimes deal with having them taken away.
Unlike most folks, I don't give Heath Ledger extra credit for dying after this movie. His performance is excellent, but not as super-duper-ohmygod-legendary as people decided it was because he died. The fact that he was unable to reprise the role actually helps in that the enigma of his character remains intact. We never do find out "how [he] got these scars."
No other comic book film comes close to having a human story that makes us care as much as this one. The Spider-Man movies make a commendable effort, but it doesn't really extend much further than Tobey Maguire or James Garfield whingeing about how their spider-hobby takes up time that could be better spent banging Kirsten Dunst/Emma Stone.
5. Gangs of New York (2002)
Daniel Day-Lewis is pretty much the best actor ever. He's one of the few actors where I'll watch any movie simply because they're in it.
There's really not much else to say about this one. It's just a damned good movie. Leonardo DiCaprio's character's inner conflicts are played out wonderfully; just when you think the movie isn't paying attention to itself you realize it's been brewing in his head for some time. Cameron Diaz (and to a lesser degree, her character) is unnecessary, but that's a minor complaint.
While you're at it, check out the bonus feature on the DVD about the real gangs from this time period that the movie was based upon. Pretty interesting stuff.
4. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Before we start here, there is--to quote Karl Pilkington--an elephant in the room.
It seems that no one can discuss this movie without bitching about Mickey Rooney's ridiculous and "offensive" portrayal of an Asian.
I'm only mentioning it here to emphasize that I'm not going to mention it.
It was acceptable then. It was a different time. No one's doing it now. Stop your goddamned whining. It's just a movie. Jesus.
Moving along...
I'm not sure why I like this movie so much. The humor is heavy-handed and goofy, and it's pretty much a chick flick.
There's probably some sentimental value attached to it because of who I first watched it with, but this is just a hard movie not to like. Audrey Hepburn's performance--in this film as in her others--brings an honesty and believability to her character. Suspension of disbelief is never a problem when watching her.
It's also one of those movies that is, quite simply, fun. It's enjoyable to watch even when it's not well-executed. In this regard, it's sort of the anti-Citizen Kane. If you turned this in at your film school you'd probably get a C, but your teacher would beg you to let him keep a copy.
Next time around it's the top three.
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