DVDs

There is nothing better than putting your feet up at the end of the day and settling down to watch a good movie on a home theater projector dvd player. Trying to select the best films from the last 10 years was not easy and while you may not agree with some that I have omitted, you can be assured that the following choices won’t leave you disappointed. In no particular order, these are the top 10 movies of the century…..so far:

1. Oldboy (2003)

2. In one of the most underrated movies of all time, Oh Dae-su is captured and imprisoned for 15 years without explanation. One day he is released, equipped with fine clothes, money, a cell phone and given 5 days to discover the reasons behind his incarceration. The movie follows his fascinating quest to solve the mystery about who did this to him and, more importantly, why. Even if you are not a fan of foreign movies, the story and action are so gripping that you fail to notice that you are watching a movie with subtitles.

3. Gran Torino (2008)

4. In this powerful Clint Eastwood drama, Walt Kowalski, a racist, bitter, uncompromising Korean War veteran has just lost his beloved wife. He feels alone, distanced from his remaining relatives and out of touch from the constantly changing world around him. When his immigrant neighbor, Thao, tries to steal his only remaining love, his cherished 1972 Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to help and reform the troubled young teenager. As he gets closer to Thao he is forced to reconsider his beliefs and confront his own prejudices. While this is not a movie for a romantic evening in with the girlfriend, this powerful, inspiring tale should not be missed.

5. The Departed (2006)

6. In Martin Scorsese’s best work since Goodfellas, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson shine in this enthralling gangster drama. The Departed follows two police officers, Billy Costigan and Colin Sullivan, working as ‘rats’ on different sides of the law. Costigan is sent to infiltrate the Irish mob syndicate headed by gangland boss Frank Costello, while Costello receives reports from his own informant, Colin Sullivan, planted inside the Massachusetts State Police Department. When it becomes clear to both sides they have a mole in their respective ranks, each ‘rat’ must identify the other in order to save their own life. The absorbing storyline and star-studded cast combine to deliver the latest Scorsese masterpiece that will keep you guessing until the very end.

7. The Prestige (2006)

8. This mystery-thriller, set in turn-of-the-century London, takes you into the lives of two young, fiercely competitive magicians, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), fighting for supremacy in their field. As they both ascend to fame their rivalry intensifies resulting in tragic and deadly consequences. The Prestige is a great movie for all occasions. Full of twists and turns, you won’t want to look away!

9. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

10. It begins with one of the greatest opening scenes I’ve ever seen, and the latest Tarantino creation will continue to blow you away for the full 153 minutes! During World War II, Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) leads his specially selected team of Jewish-American soldiers, “The Basterds”, on a terrorizing mission through Nazi occupied France. The Basterds join forces with theatre owner Shosanna Dreyfus in an attempt to bring the war to a premature end. This film oozes the brutal, artistic violence and colorful language we have come to associate with Tarantino in such classics as Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. A must see.

11. City of God (2002)

12. In one of the greatest foreign films of all time we experience life in the City of God, a government housing project built in the 1960’s that has become one of the most dangerous slums in Rio de Janeiro by the 1980’s. The story is narrated by a young boy, Buscapé, a prospective photographer who follows the lives of many characters, most notably, gang boss Li’l Zé, who ascends from robbery to a life of drug dealing and murder. Buscapé sheds light on the increasing violence, brutality and corruption within the City of God through his pictures. This hard-hitting movie, based on a true story, is visually amazing and will leave your heart pumping long after the closing credits.

13. Memento (2000)

14. In this confusing mystery-adventure, Leonard (Guy Pearce) is trying to avenge his wife’s rape and murder. However, after sustaining a head injury during the attack, he suffers from short-term memory loss and is forced to write notes and take pictures in an attempt to piece together the crime. While one storyline tells the story backwards, the other moves forwards, visualizing his unreliable memory to reveal a world where no one can be trusted. Memento is a movie that requires your complete attention but is fully worth the experience.

15. Amélie (2001)

16. I felt it was important to include an uplifting movie in a list that consists of mostly serious films. There is none better than Amélie. This quirky French comedy revolves around a shy young waitress, Amélie Poulain, and her mission to spread happiness to others around her while pursuing her own dreams of love. Cheerful, inspiring and full of hope, this film will leave you with a smile on your face and a renewed sense of passion for life.

17. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

18. This beautiful tale authentically portrays the emotions involved in a modern relationship. When Joel (Jim Carrey) discovers that his girlfriend, Clementine (Kate Winslet), has undergone an experimental treatment to have the memories of their turbulent past erased, he follows suit to escape the heartbreak. However, as his memories of Clementine begin to fade he starts to rediscover his love for her, and must fight to escape the procedure from within his own head. This is another complicated story that trips between dimensions of consciousness. However this delightful movie will capture your heart and make you realize the importance of memories.

19. Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001 – 2003)

20. Last, and by no means least, is Peter Jackson’s epic reenactment of J.R. Tolkien’s fictional book series; The Lord of the Rings. Spanning three volumes, this marathon tale of good versus evil follows young Hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) on his treacherous quest to destroy the ‘One Ring’ in the fires of Mount Doom, where it was forged. Great for all audiences and occasions, this timeless classic will keep you thoroughly entertained throughout.

- Chris