Tag: The American

The Top 21 Movies of the 21st Century……So Far!

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It’s one thing to come up with a list of the best movies in any given year, but the best movies of a century that’s just in its 16th year? We Are Movie Geeks polled a group of 30 carefully-selected (and mostly St. Louis-based) movie critics, movie bloggers, movie academics, movie promoters, and just plain old movie fans and asked for a list, in order of preference, of their Top Ten Favorite Films so far this century. Somewhere among the endless superhero blockbusters, franchise reboots, and sequels, some really great movies have come out in the last 16 years. And some of them were indeed superhero blockbusters, franchise reboots, and sequels! The 21st century has another 84 years to go, and there’s no doubt that these choices will change as the years go by, but since it’s doubtful any of those polled will be around when the century ends (unless Stephen Tronicek – born in 1999 – makes it to 101), we might as well do this now. To come up with our top 21, a super-scientific algorithm was generated….just kidding! We simply scored each movie based on its rank in any given list. If a movie was #1 on any list, it received 10 points, #2 received 9 points, and so on (a movie ranked #10 received 1 point – get it?). Of course, all of these lists are highly subjective and some favorite titles will be omitted, so prepare to argue with the selections of these 30 film buffs (and yes, we’re naming names!).

HERE ARE THE RESULTS!:

21. GLADIATOR (2000 – Ridley Scott)

20. UP (2009 – Pete Docter)

19. THE LEGO MOVIE (2014 – Phil Lord)

18. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007 – The Coen Brothers)

17. 12 YEARS A SLAVE (2013 – Steve McQueen)

16. THE REVENENT (2015 – Alejandro Innaritu)

15. INSIDE OUT (2015 – Pete Docter)

14. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOLESS MIND (2004 – Michel Gondry)

13. O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU? (2000 – The Coen Brothers)

12. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (2009 – Quentin Tarantino)

11. THE AVIATOR (2004 – Martin Scorsese)

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10. SYNECEDOCHE, NEW YORK (2008 – Charlie Kaufmann)

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9. MEMENTO (2000 – Christopher Nolan)

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8. THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS  (2001 – Wes Anderson)

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7. BOYHOOD (2014 – Richard Linklater)

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6. LORD OF THE RINGS  RETURN OF THE KING (2003 – Peter Jackson)

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5. THE DEPARTED (2006 – Martin Scorsese)

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4. MAD MAX FURY ROAD (2015 – George Miller)

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3. PAN’S LABYRINTH (2006 – Guillermo Del Toro)

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2. THERE WILL BE BLOOD  (2007 – Paul Thomas Anderson)

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1. MULHOLLAND DRIVE  (2001 – David Lynch)

Directors Martin Scorsese and the Coen Brothers each had two films on this list, as did writer Charlie Kaufman and Pixar director Pete Docter. Nothing from beloved directors Clint Eastwood, Ang Lee, Darren Aronofsky, Woody Allen, Cameron Crowe, Alexander Payne or David Fincher, but the all of them were well-represented on the individual lists, all of which are presented here:

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 Tom Stockman  (We Are Movie Geeks)

10. THE AMERICAN (Anton Corbijn)

9. BLUE JASMINE (Woody Allen)

8. GRAN TORINO (Clint Eastwood)

7. THE DEVIL’S REJECTS (Rob Zombie)

6. CITY OF GOD (Fernando Meirelles)

5. LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA (Clint Eastwood)

4. APOCALYPTO (Mel Gibson)

3. INGLORIOUS BASTERDS (Quentin Tarantino)

2. LIFE OF PI (Ang Lee)

1. MAD MAX FURY ROAD (George Miller)

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Andrew Wyatt   (St. Louis Magazine, Gateway Cinephile)

10. UNDER THE SKIN (Jonathan Glazer)

9. THE TURIN HORSE (Bela Tarr)

8. OF TIME AND THE CITY (Terence Davies)

7. ZODIAC (David Fincher)

6. CERTIFIED COPY (Abbas Klarostami)

5. THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD (Andrew Dominik)

4. INLAND EMPIRE (David Lynch)

3. THE MASTER (Paul Thomas Anderson)

2. SYNECDOCHE NEW YORK (Charlie Kaufman)

1. CACHE (Michael Hanake)

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Stephen Tronicek   (FilmAnalyst)

10, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (Michel Gondry)

9. BIRDMAN (Alejandro Innaritu)

8. CLOUD ATLAS (Tom Twyker, The Wachowski Brothers)

7. UP (Pete Docter)

6. A SERIOUS MAN (the Coen Brothers)

5. INTO THE WILD (Sean Penn)

4. REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (Darren Aronofsky)

3. PANS LABYRINTH (Guillermo Del Toro)

2. ALMOST FAMOUS (Cameron Crowe)

1. BOYHOOD (Richard Linklater)

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Dana Jung

10. SIN CITY (Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller)

9. THIS IS THE END (Evan Goldberg)

8. AVATAR (James Cameron)

7. DISTRICT 9 (Neill Blomkamp)

6. APOCALYPTO (Mel Gibson)

5. MULHOLLAND DRIVE (David Lynch)

4. HUGO (Martin Scorsese)

3. INSIDE OUT (Pete Docter)

2. MAD MAX FURY ROAD (George Miler)

1. LORD OF THE RINGS RETURN OF THE KING (Peter Jackson)

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Mathew DeKinder   (Suburban Journals of St. Louis)

10. THE HURT LOCKER (Kathryn Bigelow)

9. THE TREE OF LIFE (Terence Malick)

8. MAD MAX FURY ROAD ROAD (George Miller)

7. ROAD TO PERDITION (Sam Mendes)

6. THE DARK KNIGHT (Christopher Nolan)

5. INGLORIOUS BASTARDS (Quentin Tarantino)

4. ANCHORMAN (Adam McKay)

3. LORD OF THE RINGS RETURN OF THE KING (Peter Jackson)

2. THERE WILL BE BLOOD (Paul Thomas Anderson)

1. 12 YEARS A SLAVE (Steve McQueen)

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Jim Batts   (We Are Movie Geeks)

10. KILL BILL (Quentin Tarantino)

9. THE ARTIST (Michel Hazanavicius)

8. THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN (Judd Apatow)

7. CAPTAIN AMERICA THE FIRST AVENGER (Joe Johnston)

6. AMERICAN SPLENDOR (Shari Springer Berman)

5. LORD OF THE RINGS RETURN OF THE KING  (Peter Jackson)

4. GHOST WORLD (terry Zwigoff)

3. THE INCREDIBLES (Brad Bird)

2. SPIDERMAN 2 (Sam Raimi)

1. PANS LABYRINTH (Guillermo Del Toro)

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 Lynn Venhaus   ( Belleville News-Democrat, Webster-Kirkwood Times)

10. (500) DAYS OF SUMMER (Marc Webb)

9. NEBRASKA (Alexander Payne)

8. 28 DAYS LATER… (Danny Boyle)

7. INSIDE OUT (Pete Docter)

6. THE DEPARTED (Martin Scorsese)

5. BOYHOOD (Richard Linklater)

4. THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (Wes Anderson)

3. THE SOCIAL NETWORK (David Fincher)

2. THE DARK KNIGHT (Christopher Nolan)

1. MULHOLLAND DRIVE (David Lynch)

THE REVENANT Copyright © 2016 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. THE REVENANT Motion Picture Copyright © 2016 Regency Entertainment (USA), Inc. and Monarchy Enterprises S.a.r.l. All rights reserved.Not for sale or duplication.

Kent Tentschert   (Webster-Kirkwood Times)

10. THE DESCENDANTS (Alexander Payne)

9. THE DARK KNIGHT (Christopher Nolan)

8. BIUTIFUL (Alejandro Innaritu)

7. UP (Pete Docter)

6. THE READER (Stephen Daldry)

5. NIGHTCRAWLER (Dan Gilroy)

4. INCEPTION (Christopher Nolan)

3. THE PRESTIGE (Christopher Nolan)

2. GLADIATOR (Ridley Scott)

1. THE REVENANT (Alejandro Innaritu)

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Rob Garica  (HEC-TV)

10. THE TREE OF LIFE (Terence Malick)

9. OVERNIGHT (Tony Montana)

8. BAMBOOZLED (Spike Lee)

7. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MAN (The Coen Bothers)

6. THE DEPARTED (Martin Scorsese)

5. CITY OF GOD (Fernanso Meirelles)

4. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (Tomas Alfredson)

3. TALK TO HER (Pedro Almodovar)

2. PANS LABYRINTH (Guillermo Del Toro)

1. MULHOLLAND DRIVE (David Lynch)

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Sam Smucker  

10. WINTER SLEEP (Nuri Ceylan)

9. IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (Kar Wai Wong)

8. LORD OF THE RINGS RETURN OF THE KING (Peter Jackson)

7. BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (Benh Zeitlin)

6. BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR (Abdellatif Kechiche)

5. CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON (Ang Lee)

4. THE LOOK OF SILENCE (Joshua Oppenheimer)

3. THE PAST (Asghar Farhadi)

2. SILENT LIGHT (Carlos Reygadas)

1. BOYHOOD (Richard Linklater)

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Robert Hunt   (The Riverfront Times)

10. AMERICAN SNIPER (Clint Eastwood)

9. PANS LABYRINTH (Guilermo del Toro)

8. THE TRIP (Michael Winterbottom)

7. SITA SINGS THE BLUES  (Nina Paley)

6. NOTRE MUSIQUE (Jean-Luc Godard)

5. 2046  (Wong Kar-Wai)

4. WHAT TIME IS IT THERE? (Ming-Liang Tsai)

3. I’M NOT THERE (Todd Haynes)

2. WENDY AND LUCY  (Kelly Reichardt)

1. CARLOS (Oliver Assayas)

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Sam Moffitt  

10. OH BROTHER WHERE ART THOUGH? (The Coen Brothers)

9. WHIP IT! (Drew Barrymore)

8. THE BABADOOK (Jennifer Kent)

7. MEMENTO (Christopher Nolan)

6. SLITHER (James Gunn)

5. THERE WILL BE BLOOD (Paul Thomas Anderson)

4. BLACK SNAKE MOAN (Craig Brewer)

3. MOON (Duncan Jones)

2. DRIVE (Nicolas Winding Refn)

1. SYNECDOCHE NEW YORK (Charlie Kaufman)

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Michael Haffner   (We Are Movie Geeks)

10. THE TREE OF LIFE (Terence Malick)

9. DRIVE (Nicolas Winding Refn)

8. IN BRUGES (Martin McDonagh)

7. LOST IN TRANSLATION (Sophia Coppola)

6. BOYHOOD (Richard Linklater)

5. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (Michael Gondry)

4. MAD MAX FURY ROAD (George Miller)

3. THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (Wes Anderson)

2. MULHOLLAND DRIVE (David Lynch)

1. THERE WILL BE BLOOD (Paul Thomas Anderson)

No Merchandising. Editorial Use Only Mandatory Credit: Photo by c.Miramax/Everett / Rex Features ( 508110r ) 'THE AVIATOR', Leonardo Dicaprio 'THE AVIATOR' FILM STILLS - 2004

Renee Hirshfield   (Webster University, Southwestern Illinois College)

10. AMERICAN SPLENDOR  (Shari Springer Berman)

9. AMELIE (Jean-Pierre Jeunet)

8. TALK TO HER (Pedro Almodovar)

7. HUGO (Martin Scorsese)

6. INSIDE OUT (Pete Docter)

5. EX MACHINA (Alex Garland)

4. CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS (Andrew Jarecki)

3. INTERSTELLAR (Christopher Nolan)

2. THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (Wes Anderson)

1. THE AVIATOR (Martin Scorsese)

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Sarah Hirshfield   (Mount Holyoke College)

10. MONEYBALL (Bennett Miller)

9. ELEPHANT (Gus Van Sandt)

8. SNOWPIERCER (Bong Joon Ho)

7. A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT (Ana Lily Amirpour)

6. 4 MONTHS 2 WEEKS AND 3 DAYS (Cristian Mungiu)

5. SUPER 8 (J.J. Abrams)

4. INSIDE OUT (Pete Docter)

3. EX MACHINA (Alex Garland)

2. PANS LABYRINTH (Guillermo Del Toro)

1. THE SOCIAL NETWORK (Davis Fincher)

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Kathy Kaiser   (Matinee Chat)

10. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (Quentin Tarantino)

9. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (Gore Verbinski)

8. DJANGO UNCHAINED (Quentin Tarantino)

7. IRON MAN (John Favreau)

6. CAST AWAY (Robert Zemeckis)

5. THE IMITATION GAME (Morten Tyldum)

4. THE REVENANT (Alejandro Innaritu)

3. THE DEPARTED (Martin Scorsese)

2. THE AVIATOR (Martin Scorsese)

1. 12 YEARS A SLAVE (Steve McQueen)

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Melissa Thompson   (We Are Movie Geeks)

10. BILLY ELLIOT (Stephen Daldry)

9. A MIGHTY WIND (Christopher Guest)

8. FANTASTIC MR. FOX  (Wes Anderson)

7. HAIRSPRAY (Adam Shankman)

6. ELF (John Favreau)

5. SPIRITED AWAY (Hayao Miyazaki)

4. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (Gore Verbinski)

3. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (Woody Allen)

2. MOULIN ROUGE! (Baz Luhrmann)

1. LADY IN THE WATER (M. Night Shyamalan)

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Pete Timmerman   (Webster University)

10. THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (Wes Anderson)

9. ADAPTATION (Spike Jonze)

8. REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (Darren Aronofsky)

7. PUNCH DRUNK LOVE (Paul Thomas Anderson)

6. CHILDREN OF MEN (Alfonso Cuaron)

5. TROPICAL MALADY (Apichatpong Weerasethakul)

4. THE ACT OF KILLING (Joshua Oppenheimer)

3. DOGTOOTH (Yorgos Lanthimos)

2. EVERYTHING WILL BE OK (Don Hertzfeldt)

2. IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (Wong Kar Wai)

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Michelle McCue  (We Are Movie Geeks)

10. GRAVITY (Alfonso Cuaron)

9. FANTASTIC MR. FOX  (Wes Anderson)

8. AN EDUCATION (Lone Scherfig)

7. THE LADY IN THE WATER (M. Night Shyamalan)

6. THE HURT LOCKER (Kathryn Bigelow)

5. ROAD TO PERDITION (Sam Mendes)

4. THE LORD OF THE RINGS FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (Peter Jackson)

3. LOST IN TRANSLATION (Sofia Coppola)

2. MOON (Duncan Jones)

1. GLADIATOR (Ridley Scott)

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Tim Venhaus  

10. THE MASTER (Paul Thomas Anderson)

9. SUPERBAD (Greg Mottola)

8. KILL BILL (Quentin Tarantino)

7. BOYHOOD (Richard Linklater)

6. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (The Coen Brothers)

5. WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER (David Wain)

4. THE DEPARTED (Martin Scorsese)

3. REQUIEM FOR A DREAM  (Darren Aronofsky)

2. THE ROYAL TENENBAUM’S (Wes Anderson)

1. ADAPTATION (Spike Jonze)

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Travis Keune   (We Are Movie Geeks)

10. THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD (Andrew Dominik)

9. PANS LABYRINTH (Guillermo Del Toror)

8. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (Quentin Tarantino)

7. DRIVE (Nicolas Winding Refn)

6. MAD MAX FURY ROAD (George Miller)

5. THE WRESTLER (Darren Aronofsky)

4. OH BROTHER WHERE ART THOUGH? (The Coen Brothers)

3. MEMENTO (Christopher Nolan)

2. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (Michel Gondry)

1. THERE WILL BE BLOOD (Paul Thomas Anderson)

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Cate Marquis   (We Are Movie Geeks, The Jewish Light)

10. 12 YEARS A SLAVE (Steve McQueen)

9. A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT (Jean-Pierre Jeunet)

8. THE DEPARTED (Martin Scorsese)

7. AMELIE (Jean-Pierre Jeunet)

6. THE PIANIST (Roman Polanski)

5. GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (Wes Anderson)

4. PAN’S LABYRINTH (Guillermo Del Toror)

3. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (Quentin Tarantino)

2. OH BROTHER WHERE ART THOUGH? (The Coen Brothers)

1. MEMENTO (Christopher Nolan)

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Matt Myers  (Allied Advertising)

10. LORD OF THE RINGS THE TWO TOWERS (Peter Jackson)

9. THERE WILL BE BLOOD (Paul Thomas Anderson)

8. FANTASTIC MR. FOX (Wes Anderson)

7. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (The Coen Brothers)

6. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (Michael Gondry)

5. MAD MAX FURY ROAD (George Miller)

4. MULHOLLAND DRIVE (David Lynch)

3. AMÉLIE (Jean-Pierre Jeunet)

2. KILL BILL (Quentin Tarantino)

1. SYNECDOCHE NEW YORK (Charlie Kaufman)

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Max Foizey (ZekeFilm)

10. (500) DAYS OF SUMMER (Marc Webb)

9. OH BROTHER WHERE ART THOU (The Coen Brothers)

8. CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON (Ang Lee)

7. ATONEMENT (Joe Wright)

6. UP (Pete Docter)

5. CLOSER (Mike Nichols)

4. BLACK SWAN (Darren Aronofsky)

3. THERE WILL BE BLOOD (Paul Thomas Anderson)

2. MULHOLLAND DRIVE (David Lynch)

1. THE LEGO MOVIE (Phil Lord)

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Sandy Olmsted

10. THE FAIRY ( Dominique Abel)

9. THE ARTIST (Michel Hazanavicius)

8. PARANORMAN (Chris Butler)

7. PAN’S LABYRINTH (Guillermo Del Toror)

6. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (Woody Allen)

5. LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE ( Jonathan Dayton)

4. HUGO (Martin Scorsese)

3. FRUITVALE STATION (Ryan Coogler)

2. HOCOLAT (Lasse Hallström)

1. BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (Benh Zeitlin)

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Carl Middleman (KFTK – 97.1FM)

10. BLACK SWAN (Darren Aronofsky)

9. MULHOLLAND DRIVE (David Lynch)

8. (500) DAYS OF SUMMER (Marc Webb)

7. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (Michel Gondry)

6. CLOSER (Mike Nichols)

5. UP (Pete Docter)

4. OH BROTHER WHERE ART THOU? (The Coen Brothers)

3. CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON (Ang Lee)

2. MEMENTO (Christopher Nolan)

1. THE LEGO MOVIE (Phil Lord)

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Jim Tudor  (ZekeFilm, ScreenAnarchy)

10. BUBBA HO-TEP (Don Coscarelli)

9. HOLY MOTORS (Leos Carax)

8. ALMOST FAMOUS (Cameron Crowe)

7. MAD MAX FURY ROAD (George Miller)

6. MULHOLLAND DRIVE (David Lynch)

5. HER (Spike Jonze)

4. THE INCREDIBLES (Brad Bird)

3. STAR WARS EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH (George Lucas)

2. TOY STORY 3 (Lee Unkrich)

1. THE TREE OF LIFE (Terence Malick)

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Dane Marti

10. INTERSTELLAR (Christopher Nolan)

9. INLAND EMPIRE (David Lynch)

8. THE HURT LOCKER (Kathryn Bigelow)

7. MINORITY REPORT (Steven Spielberg)

6. THE REVENANT (Alejandro  Iñárritu)

5. THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD  (Andrew Dominik)

4. LINCOLN (Steven Spielberg)

3. THE AVIATOR (Martin Scorsese)

2. LORD OF THE RINGS RETURN OF THE KING (Peter Jackson)

1. THERE WILL BE BLOOD (Paul Thomas Anderson)

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Ian McDonald  (Allied Advertising)

10.THE LIFE AQUATIC (Wes Anderson)

9. DJANGO UNCHAINED (Quentin Tarantino)

8. CABIN IN THE WOODS (Drew Goddard)

7. PAN’S LABYRINTH (Guillermo del Toro)

6. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (Tomas Alfredson)

5. HOT FUZZ (Edgar Wright)

4. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (The Coen Brothers)

3. MAD MAX FURY ROAD (George Miller)

2. SPIDERMAN 2 (Sam Raimi)

1. THE DEPARTED (Martin Scorsese)

 

 

Dueling Reviews: THE AMERICAN

Tom’s Take:

George Clooney plays the title role as THE AMERICAN, a superb suspense thriller from Danish director Anton Corbijn. As a lone-wolf hit man, Jack (Clooney) is always on the move and constantly looking over his shoulder. The story begins seemingly mid-plot, after an assignment in Sweden goes violently wrong and Jack retreats to the Italian countryside where he holds up in a small town. While there, he’s given his next assignment: build a sniper rifle for mysterious fellow killer Mathilde (Thekla Reuten). Appreciating the relaxing quietude he finds in the Abruzzese Mountains, Jack befriends wise local priest Father Benedetto (Paolo Bonacelli) and begins a relationship with the beautiful prostitute Clara (Violante Placido). Their time together develops into a real romance, but by stepping out of hiding Jack finds dark forces after him and he’s unsure who to trust.

The ‘hit-man redeemed by the hooker with a heart of gold’  plot is hardly new but THE AMERICAN achieves something close to perfection. It combines stylish direction, an intelligent script, first-rate performances, and overpowering atmosphere into one of the most tense and absorbing thrillers I’ve seen in some time. It distills the crime movie to its essence and may be the leanest, most spare hit man picture ever to star a Hollywood A-lister. THE AMERICAN has understated elegance to it; it’s not brimming with characters or plot twists (though there are some), but invests instead in small gestures, such as the flight of a butterfly or a beautiful woman stripping slowly before a mirror. Corbijn doesn’t go for shoot-’em-up pyrotechnics, and those expecting slam-bang Hollywood action might be scratching their heads at the deliberate pace and simplicity of plot, but THE AMERICAN has a calm style that meshes perfectly with the pulpy storyline, allowing the director to transcend genre conventions and find a bloody sort of grace. Corbijn has made a decidedly existential crime movie, and if gangster philosophy isn’t your thing, there’s always the beautiful Italian countryside and the chiseled chin and brown eyes of George Clooney. THE AMERICAN opens with Jack shooting an innocent woman in the back of the head and the film spends little time trying to win back any audience sympathy. Clooney is in practically every frame of the film but Jack is an incredibly withholding character, and almost nothing is revealed about his past. Initially the meticulous execution of his work seems to be the defining facet of his character but he’s slowly softened by a woman and realizes too late what he’s missed in life. There are several tense, wordless scenes where he acts only with his haunted eyes and it’s so impressive what Clooney, that most ‘American’ of actors, pulls off here. The location photography is notable, giving the Italian countryside a sense of both romance and dread, of menace and the possibility of escape. ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST is showing on a TV in the background of one shot and the nod to Sergio Leone, that master of pacing and visually storytelling, is both earned and inspired. From its silent opening moments to its devastating conclusion, THE AMERICAN is clearly the work of a confident director and is easily one of the year’s best films.

Overall Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Melissa’s Take:

I am going to start out by saying that THIS MOVIE SUCKED! I can’t remember the last time that I was this bored in a theater!!! If staring at the back of George Clooney’s head as he walks around with no dialog for 103 minutes, then this movie is for you.

Things I understand:

I understand that Mr. Butterfly builds weapons.

I understand that he was hired to build a new weapon for someones assasination.

I understand that he is lonely after a life of being invisible and wants love.

I have just explained the entire movie to you!

Things that make no sense:

Why was he obsessed with butterflies? Was it because he is always flying around? That they both have short lifespans? Is it because he has a man tramp stamp of one… (Only his is in between the shoulder blades, usually where dudes put a Godsmack sun or some sort of tribal crap!) They don’t focus on it, don’t explain it, but the reference is there.

Why did they make a movie where nothing happens. Sure, ladies love George Clooney, but not the back of his salt and pepper hair for at least an hour.

I should have just brought a pillow and blanket, and had someone nudge me whenever something actually happened. I am a big fan of artsy films, or films without dialog, but this was just plain goofy! This is the worst film that I have seen in a theater this year! Heck, this review has more words, plot, and storylines than THE AMERICAN does!

I honestly an at a loss of what to write about because NOTHING HAPPENS IN THIS MOVIE! IT”S LIKE WATCHING ICE MELT!

Overall Rating: 0.5 out of 5 stars (And that is only because a girl gets shot in the eye!)

“THE AMERICAN” Prize Pack Giveaway

We know… we know! You love George Clooney. Well guess what? So do we! And in honor of his new film THE AMERICAN we are giving away some prize packs with schwag to promote the movie.

Each prize pack will contain a T-SHIRT, BASEBALL HAT, and a USB DRIVE.

Now, here comes the fun part…

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. Fill out your name and email address below. (No espionage or sneaky tricks will be used with your information… scouts honor!)

2. In the comment area, answer the following: What would be the most useless weapon to defend yourself, but you would want to invent/build? This could be a gun that shoots bunny rabbits instead of bullets, an invisible bazooka that you could never find, or heck, a laser that turns things into pizza.

Put your creative thinking caps on… and good luck!

Synopsis: Academy Award winner George Clooney stars in the title role of this suspense thriller. As an assassin, Jack (Clooney) is constantly on the move and always alone. After a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, Jack retreats to the Italian countryside. He relishes being away from death for a spell as he holes up in a small medieval town. While there, Jack takes an assignment to construct a weapon for a mysterious contact, Mathilde (Thekla Reuten). Savoring the peaceful quietude he finds in the mountains of Abruzzo, Jack accepts the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto (Paolo Bonacelli) and pursues a torrid liaison with a beautiful woman, Clara (Violante Placido). Jack and Clara’s time together evolves into a romance, one seemingly free of danger. But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate.



New TV Spots & Photo Of George Clooney From THE AMERICAN

Have a look at this new photo of George Clooney on the set of THE AMERICAN! Another helping of Clooney, this generation’s Cary Grant as far as I’m concerned, is always welcomed. Director Anton Corbijn has this latest picture and post in his blog:

Being a gun specialist requires special equipment and Jack managed to get the right tools from the right places in his small Italian hide-out. The photo shows him in his apartment amending some bullets for a special occasion. His apartment for the film was a great location; small but we used it all. It was an important place for me, for the film. The one where we sense his mindset the most, the place where Jack is seen at his most reflective.

Click here to see more pictures and read more of director Anton Corbijn’s blog about filming THE AMERICAN.

Here are the latest TV spots for THE AMERICAN.

Synopsis:

Academy Award winner George Clooney stars in the title role of this suspense thriller, filmed on location in Italy. Alone among assassins, Jack (played by Mr. Clooney) is a master craftsman. When a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, he vows to his contact that his next assignment will be his last. Jack reports to the Italian countryside, where he holes up in a small town and relishes being away from death for a spell. The assignment, as specified by a Belgian woman, Mathilde (Thekla Reuten of “In Bruges”), is in the offing as a weapon is constructed. Surprising himself, Jack seeks out the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto (Italian stage and screen veteran Paolo Bonacelli) and pursues romance with local woman Clara (Italian leading lady Violante Placido). But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate.

From Focus Features, THE AMERICAN will be in theaters on September 1, 2010. Check out the film on Twitter and Facebook.

THE AMERICAN “Hot” Trailer Gets a Second Look

Focus Features has released a 2nd trailer for George Clooney’s film, THE AMERICAN. Damn if Clooney isn’t this generation’s Cary Grant.

Feels like another Bourne film. Did ya catch Clooney’s tattoo?

Synopsis:

Academy Award winner George Clooney stars in the title role of this suspense thriller, filmed on location in Italy. Alone among assassins, Jack (played by Mr. Clooney) is a master craftsman. When a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, he vows to his contact that his next assignment will be his last. Jack reports to the Italian countryside, where he holes up in a small town and relishes being away from death for a spell. The assignment, as specified by a Belgian woman, Mathilde (Thekla Reuten of “In Bruges”), is in the offing as a weapon is constructed. Surprising himself, Jack seeks out the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto (Italian stage and screen veteran Paolo Bonacelli) and pursues romance with local woman Clara (Italian leading lady Violante Placido). But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate.

Read director Anton Corbijn’s blog at The American Blog and check out the film on Twitter and Facebook.

First Shot From THE AMERICAN

clooney the american

Clooney’s taking aim… at our excitement.

Okay, as lame as that may have been, there’s no denying how cool this first shot is from George Clooney’s upcoming film, THE AMERICAN.  It comes to us today courtesy of Collider, who had a man out at the American Film Market last week to snag up images just like this one.

In the film, Clooney plays a skilled assassin.  After a botched job, a lover ends up dead, and the assassin vows that his next job will be his last.  It could very well be just that, as he finds himself letting his guard down.

To this end, THE AMERICAN could be viewed as a sequel to FROM DUSK TILL DAWN.  Actually, I kind of like to think everything Clooney appears in is a sequel to FROM DUSK TILL DAWN with Seth Gecko running around the world trying to change his life any way he possibly can.  Of course, I haven’t been able to fully explain THREE KINGS, O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?, or THE GOOD GERMAN.  Time machine, maybe?

Anyway, Collider has a whole bunch of stills from various movies over on their site, but we thought we’d bring you the most exciting of the bunch.  If a shot of Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning cuddling on a couch is what you’re looking for, by all means, check them out.

THE AMERICAN is set for release sometime in 2010.

Anton Corbijn’s ‘The American’ Begins Filming With George Clooney

clooney from dusk till dawn

You never really NEED a good reason to run a pic of George Clooney about to turn Benny’s World of Liquor into Benny’s World of Blood.   Luckily for us, today we do have a good reason.   Clooney and director Anton Corbijn (‘Control’) have begun filming on the new thriller ‘The American’ in Italy.   The film is from Focus Features, and Focus CEO James Schamus made the announcement today.

Here is the film’s official synopsis:

Alone among assassins, Jack (played by Mr. Clooney) is a master craftsman. When a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, he vows to his contact Larry (Bruce Altman of this fall’s Peter and Vandy) that his next assignment will be his last. Jack reports to the Italian countryside, where he holes up in a small town and relishes being away from death for a spell. The assignment, as specified by a Belgian woman, Mathilde (Thekla Reuten of Focus’ award-winning In Bruges), is in the offing as a weapon is constructed. Surprising himself, Jack seeks out the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto (Italian screen and stage veteran Paolo Bonacelli) and pursues romance with local woman Clara (Italian leading lady Violante Placido). But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate.

Rowan Joffe serves as screenwriter from the novel A Very Private Gentleman by Martin Booth.   Martin Ruhe and Andrew Hulme are rejoining their ‘Control’ director for the film as cinematographer and editor, respectively.

Focus’ Schamus had this to say about Corbijn and Clooney coming together:

The combination of a visionary artist of the stature of Anton Corbijn with the  great George Clooney is, for all of us at Focus, a movie marriage made in heaven.

‘The American’ has no planned release date set.