Retconning Luke Eddy’s Top 25 Films of the Decade

Retcon stands for “retroactive continuity.” It’s a comic book industry term, but it’s used in all kinds of serial fiction these days. Something is retconned when an author goes back and alters the backstory or past events of an ongoing storyline to fit the needs of the current plotline. Perhaps the most famous retcon was carried out by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: the character Sherlock Holmes was just too popular to actually die in that waterfall. Now, to be honest, what I’m doing is technically a revision and not a retcon, but come on, the word retcon is too cool not to use. So what am I retconning? My list of the top 25 films of the last decade, the first article that I posted on this blog. And why am I retconning it? Well, even though the decade was over when I wrote it, there were still lots of great films that I hadn’t seen yet, and not only that, but the order that I would now put the original 25 films in has changed over time as well. If you haven’t read my original list go check it out. That said, I’m not going to rewrite the entire list. I would probably rearrange a lot of the films on it, but I’m only altering the top seven spots, so at least read those entries.

So here goes, my brand new, retconned, top films of the last decade:

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2000, 2001, 2003)

Why is it still in spot number one? Because I’m treating the trilogy as a single entry. Like I originally said, the sequential release of the Lord of the Rings films was the greatest cinematic event of its decade. And treating the three films as a single entry allows me two extra spots to highlight other films; devoting three spots, each to a Lord of Rings film, doesn’t seem fair. And you just know all three would be on this list. I will say this though, if I were to split the trilogy into three separate entries, I don’t think they’d be in the order you’d expect. I actually liked The Return of the King the least and The Fellowship of the Ring the most. And if we’re talking about the extended editions, well then The Two Towers is my favorite.

2. The Dark Knight (2008)

Why did this film move from spot number seven to spot number two? Because most films, when you really start analyzing them or you begin comparing them to other films, you find flaws that you maybe hadn’t noticed before and subsequently you rate the film a little lower, and yet a few films, a rare few, when you do this, you instead realize just how good they really are. I saw The Dark Knight twice while it was in theaters and I was blown away by it. But when I was writing my original list, it was still getting plenty of hype and, even though I loved it, I didn’t want to accidentally jump on a bandwagon, so I put it at number seven. And yet, years later, after the hype has died down, I find myself comparing other films to it, almost as if it were a benchmark. I’ll think, “Wow, that movie was good. But was it as good as The Dark Knight?” No film is perfect, but I feel it’s unhelpful to never give any film a five star rating, something has to be at the top of the chart, something has to set the standard, and in my mind The Dark Knight is such a film.

3. Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Why was this film added to this list at spot number three? Because I recently saw it and it’s now one of my favorite films. In fact, this film is the main reason I’m doing this retcon. After I’d seen it, the person who recommended it to me asked where it would fall on my old list of the best films of the last decade. That got me thinking about how else that list might have changed since I originally wrote it. By why is this film so high on the list, at spot number three? Because some films are inspiring, some films have something philosophically meaningful to say, some films are darkly hilarious, some films have amazing performances by every single cast member. But this film, it has all of those, and it combines them perfectly. I won’t say anything else, I wouldn’t want to spoil any of the surprises this film has to offer, so you’ll just have to check it out for yourself.

4. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Why did this film move from spot number two to spot number four? I don’t like this film any less, it’s still certainly one of my favorite films over all. It’s only moved down two spots to make room for a new favorite and for a film I’ve grown to appreciate even more. That said, it’s similar to Stranger Than Fiction, so why did I rate Stranger Than Fiction one spot higher? It’s not necessarily because I like Stranger Than Fiction more, it’s because Stranger Than Fiction is a more accessible film than Little Miss Sunshine. There are certain elements of Little Miss Sunshine that can be off putting to some people, in fact I know certain people who outright hate it, and Little Miss Sunshine’s message, which is actually quite meaningful, can get lost in that. The profundity and the humor of Stranger Than Fiction is an easier experience to share.

5. The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)

Why was this film added to the list at spot number five? I saw this film well before writing the original list and it was already a favorite of mine. I actually debated adding it but in the end decided not to because it’s actually a documentary. But like I said, this is a retcon, and so I’m changing the rules. It’s one of my favorite films and it’s certainly my favorite documentary, it wouldn’t be right to exclude it on some arbitrary pretext of “no documentaries allowed”. Besides, in an eerie and hilarious way, it actually follows the tropes of a typical movie, it’s got the classic underdog hero fighting against the powerful villain aided by his snivelling minions, there’s even the elderly, manipulated authority figure. And all of  this is in the context of playing the old Donkey Kong arcade game. It’s painfully hilarious, and yet, surprisingly, it actually has an inspiring message within it. The moral of the film is that the best revenge is going on and living a good life and simply being the better person.

6. Hot Fuzz (2007)

Why did this film move from spot number three to spot number six? I also don’t like this film any less, I still think it’s the funniest film of its decade. It’s certainly funnier than the three films before it, but those three films, in addition to being funny, have something meaningful to say, whereas Hot Fuzz is just pure hilarity. Not that there’s anything wrong with “pure hilarity”, that’s exactly why it’s the sixth best film of the decade.

7. Moon (2009)

Why was this film added to the list at spot number seven? In the original list I included a number of “sleeper hits” but Moon gets the award for being the most under appreciated, most un-hyped, and most unrecognized film of the decade. I rented Moon after the decade was over; I’d heard of it but it had a limited release in theaters. After watching it once, I watched it two more times. Baring Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker, of course, there’s a strong argument for Sam Rockwell’s portrayal of the lonely astronaut in Moon as the best performance of the decade. Moon is a hard film to categorize. Above all else, it’s psychological. But is it a psychological drama? Yes…but not a normal one at all. Is it psychological horror? In a way, but not overtly. Is it a psychological thriller? No…and yes. Is it psychological sci-fi? I suppose so, but the emphasis is not on the sci-fi. Not everyone will like Moon, some may think it’s slow moving and too contemplative, but even so, it’s an outstanding film that didn’t get the chance to shine that it deserved. You probably haven’t even heard of it, so do yourself a favor and check it out.

“Wait a minute!” you might be saying, “what happened to Unbreakable, Signs, and V for Vendetta? Those used to be in spots four, five, and six.” Well you’re very observant, and those films are officially eight, nine, and ten now, and everything else, beginning with Gladiator (which was eight), moves down three spots. And the three on the end, Equilibrium, Sunshine, and X2…well, let’s just say it’s a top 28 Films of the Decade now…

“You seriously haven’t seen Memento yet? It’s been like 12 years, pal.”

And who knows, if I finally get around to seeing Memento, Inglourious Basterds, or No Country for Old Men, I might just have to retcon this list again…

My Favorite Movies of the Past Decade (Part 1)

After lots of negotiation, blood, sweat, and tears, I have finally agreed to contribute to this fine institution. As my inaugural post I thought I would follow the trend of making a list of 25 movies I feel are worth seeing at least once (and preferably multiple times). However unlike my fellow authors on this site, I will not claim that these are the best films made in the past decade, but only that they are films I found particularly compelling and are among my own personal favorites. I listed these films in the order they came to mind rather than ranking them individually, thus there is no overarching hierarchy to this list at all. Many of these films are from wildly different genres that are in many ways incommensurable with each other and it would be next to impossible to say why I thought one was better than the other. So grab your popcorn, sit back in your chair, turn down the lights, and prepare yourself for my favorite films of the past decade (and please, just shut up and watch the movie).

The Departed (2006)

This film by Martin Scorsese expects a great deal from the audience just to follow along. Hard cuts and little exposition keep you on your toes as you watch this movie, and you’ll become hopelessly lost if you aren’t paying very close attention to whats going on at all times. While this doesn’t sound like the most pleasant experience, it does keep you extremely engaged with the film from the opening title until the final credits roll. The plot of this movie is full of twists and turns, making you feel as if you never know just whom you can trust. The message of this film seems to be that this world is rotten to the core and that no good deed is left unpunished and it achieves its goal splendidly. A superb script really drives the message home when coupled with amazing performances by a star-studded cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and Vera Farmiga. DiCaprio’s Billy Costigan was particularly compelling as you could see the toll of working as an undercover agent take its effect on him. Overall, this is a brilliant piece of cinematography by Scorsese and it’s likely to be held next to “The Godfather” as a masterpiece in years to come.

Hot Fuzz (2007)

This film is a rare breed indeed, as it is a parody that is so well crafted it actually succeeds at the very thing it was mocking. Everything from the script, to the acting, props, editing, and music selection is used to create a vivid picture of a small English town that suddenly explodes into “a non stop action extravaganza!” The comedy is top-notch, and includes many subtle running gags that take a careful eye to catch. Every aspect of the film is in many ways tied to the many action movie clichés we’ve seen time and time again over the years. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost both do an amazing job of creating believable characters and identifiable characters that are caught in a unbelievable and ridiculous situation. This is by far one of the funniest movies I’ve seen, and if you’ve ever seen a bad action film you should appreciate much of the humor, as well as the action, found in this film.

Watchmen (2009)

Zach Snyder once again faithfully translates an excellent comic into the medium of film with this movie. Long thought to be unfilmable, the Watchmen film passed through many hands before finally being picked up by Snyder. This film does a superb job of creating a setting that is at once recognizable and believable, despite just how fantastical much of it is. In many ways, the setting itself overshadows the wonderful performances given by this films talented cast. What really defines this movie, however, is the philosophical conflict between Rorschach and Ozymandias. This conflict underlies the whole film and leaves you thinking long after you’ve finished watching. One last thing I’d like to comment on, in regard to the film, is the change made to the ending. I actually think the film ending is more effective than the one found in the comic as it ties the threat back to a known entity, rather than an unknown one.

28 Days Later (2002)

While “fast zombies” are now a staple of the zombie movie genre, that was not always the case. For many years zombies were a slow, shuffling, inevitable threat as found in films like “Dawn of the Dead.” However, all of that changed with the release of this film. Zombies were now rage filled ravenous hunters. What really helps this film succeed is the fact that it does take time to encounter these zombies. Waking up in a completely deserted city and trying to find some aspect of civilization is a horrific thought for almost everyone. The score in this film really enhances the inherent tension of the situation as well. Every note and beat builds to a crescendo that leaves you panting, as if you were fleeing yourself. The story is quite good as well, and drives home the point that even in a postapocalyptic world infested with zombies, the most dangerous threat is your fellow-man.

Sin City (2005)

Sin City is a movie that favors style over almost everything else. This movies tries very hard, and succeeds, at emulating many if the aspects of film noir. While some might say the performances given in this are “over done” or sub-par, this is only because they can’t appreciate how much noir drips from every syllable. The costuming, editing, and script bring this film closer to such classics as “The Big Sleep” than anything else made in the past decade. Combine that with new technology that allows for some of the most stark visuals in any film and you’ve got an excellent movie. The vignette format also gives you the felling that this isn’t just a story, but a real city, and you’re hearing confessions from its inhabitants. Even if you’re normally put off by violent films, I’d still recommended this movie just for the sheer experience.

Those are the first five movies I wanted look at, I’ll most likely add more soon.

Luke Eddy’s Top 25 Films of the Decade (It will be Epic)

Well, here it finally is: my ‘Top 25 Films of the Decade.’ Now, this list is inherently subjective. In the first place, I certainly haven’t seen every single film that’s come out in the last ten years, for the most part I’ve seen films that looked good to me, so my sampling pool for this list is already skewed. So really, this is my top 25 films, my favorites of the decade. Treat this list as my recommendations to you. Now obviously not all of these films are appropriate for everyone, but if a film on this list sounds interesting to you, then check it out. But before I start counting down films, I thought I’d briefly explain what I looked for in the films that I chose to include in this list. Here, summarized in four points, is what I looked for:

Stunning Visuals: I like films that surprise me with how good they look, whether that means the special and visual effects, like V for Vendetta, the cinematography, like in Mongol, or simply how the scenes are shot and edited, such as in Hot Fuzz.

Exceptional Acting: This should be a given, and I don’t mean above average acting, I mean exceptional acting.  I mean acting that really stands out, such as Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, or that connects you emotionally to the character, like Bruce Willis in Unbreakable, or that leaves you in stitches, just like George Clooney in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, or in the case of an antagonist, such as Christopher Lee in The Lord of the Rings, acting that gives you a villain that you love to hate.

Something Meaningful to Say: Not all films need to have a complicated message, sometimes the simplest messages are the best. But a film with an interesting premise, like Sunshine, or an inspiring story, like The Lord of the Rings, have a lot more going for them. Now, not all of the films on my list are particularly strong in this area, at both ends of the spectrum  in fact (X2 and Hot Fuzz namely), but they make up for it by being remarkable in one or more of the other areas.

Entertaining: A film has to be entertaining. Duh. But really, that’s the point of a movie. If I didn’t enjoy watching it, it’s not on this list. And conversely, if a film was lacking in a couple of the other areas, but was nonetheless extremely enjoyable, it can still find itself in my top 25. I wouldn’t call Death at a Funeral ‘visually stunning’ nor does it have anything particularly meaningful to say, but it was so much fun to watch that I couldn’t help but include it.

So, all that said, I hope you enjoy my ‘Top 25 Films of the Decade.’