FILM COMMENT’S END-OF-DECADE CRITICS’ POLL
This past fall, Film Comment conducted an international poll of critics, programmers, academics, filmmakers, and others to identify the top films and filmmakers of the decade. In addition, we asked participants to select the individual (or thing) that cast the longest shadow across the last 10 years, for better or for worse, and the film that most decisively defined the “Aughts,” followed by brief explanatory statements. Forthwith is the extended version of the decade’s top films—the rest of the best. To read more from our respondents—including comments, films and filmmakers of the decades, and personal lists—grab a copy of the January/February 2010 issue!
BEST FILMS OF THE DECADE READERS’ POLL
You’ve read our take on the best of the last 10 years. Now it’s your turn to vote. Send us your top 20 picks to or by mail to Film Comment Decade Readers’ Poll, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, and we’ll print the results in our March/April issue. Deadline: February 12, 2010.
BEST FILMS OF THE DECADE
1. Mulholland Drive David Lynch, U.S., 2001 2808 points 2. In the Mood for Love Wong Kar Wai, Hong Kong, 2000 2687 3. Yi Yi Edward Yang, Taiwan/Japan, 2000 1833 4. Syndromes and a Century Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Thailand/Austria/France, 2006 1738 5. There Will Be Blood P.T. Anderson, U.S., 2007 1664 6. The Death of Mr. Lazarescu Cristi Puiu, Romania, 2005 1407 7. A History of Violence David Cronenberg, U.S./Canada, 2005 1303 8. Tropical Malady Apichatpong Weerasethakul, France/Thailand/Italy/Germany, 2004 1301 9. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days Cristi Mungiu, Romania, 2007 1249 10. The New World Terrence Malick, U.S., 2005 1223 11. Platform Jia Zhangke, Hong Kong/Japan/France, 2000 1206 12. Zodiac David Fincher, U.S., 2007 1143 13. The Intruder Claire Denis, France, 2004 1110 14. The Son Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne, Belgium/France, 2002 1089 15. Dogville Lars von Trier, Denmark/Sweden/France/U.K./Germany/Netherlands, 2003 1084 16. Caché Michael Haneke, France/Austria/Germany/Italy, 2005 1083 17. Kings and Queen Arnaud Desplechin, France, 2005 1080 18. Elephant Gus Van Sant, U.S., 2003 1036 19. The Royal Tenenbaums Wes Anderson, U.S., 2001 1007 20. Before Sunset Richard Linklater, U.S., 2004 1005 21. Spirited Away Hayao Miyazaki, Japan, 2001 1000 22. The Gleaners and I Agnès Varda, France, 2000 985 23. Goodbye, Dragon Inn Tsai Ming-liang, Taiwan, 2003 975 24. The World Jia Zhangke, China/Japan/France, 2004 974 25. Talk to Her Pedro Almodóvar, Spain, 2002 973 26. Inland Empire David Lynch, U.S./France/Poland, 2006 960 27. Still Life Jia Zhangke, China/Hong Kong, 2006 934 28. Colossal Youth Pedro Costa, France/Portugal/Switzerland, 2006 929 29. Russian Ark Alexander Sokurov, Russia/Germany, 2002 870 30. A.I.: Artificial Intelligence Steven Spielberg, U.S., 2001 850 31. In Praise of Love Jean-Luc Godard France/Switzerland 2001 834 32. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Michel Gondry, U.S., 2004 832 33. No Country for Old Men Joel & Ethan Coen, U.S., 2007 791 34. Werckmeister Harmonies Béla Tarr, Hungary/Italy/Germany/France, 2000 778 35. Grizzly Man Werner Herzog, U.S./Canada, 2005 777 36. Three Times Hou Hsiao-hsien, Taiwan, 2005 767 37. Café Lumière Hou Hsiao-hsien, Japan/Taiwan, 2003 761 38. Regular Lovers Philippe Garrel, France, 2005 759 39. Blissfully Yours Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Thailand/France, 2002 713 40. I’m Not There Todd Haynes, U.S./Germany, 2007 703 41. 2046 Wong Kar Wai, China/Hong Kong/France, 2005 700 42. In Vanda’s Room Pedro Costa, Portugal/Germany/Switzerland, 2000 654 43. Los Angeles Plays Itself Thom Andersen, U.S., 2003 649 44. Millennium Mambo Hou Hsiao-hsien, France/U.S./Spain/Greece, 2001 636 45. La Commune (Paris, 1871) Peter Watkins, France, 2000 632 46. The Hurt Locker Kathryn Bigelow, U.S., 2009 623 47. Million Dollar Baby Clint Eastwood, U.S., 2004 607 48. What Time Is It There? Tsai Ming-liang, Taiwan/France, 2001 600 49. demonlover Olivier Assayas, France, 2002 583 50. The Headless Woman Lucrecia Martel, Argentina/Spain/France/Italy, 2009 581 51. La Captive Chantal Akerman, France/Belgium, 2000 580 52. Esther Kahn Arnaud Desplechin, France/U.K., 2000 579 53. Notre musique Jean-Luc Godard, France/Switzerland, 2004 562 54. Distant Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Turkey, 2002 559 55. Saraband Ingmar Bergman, Sweden, 2003 553 56. The Holy Girl Lucrecia Martel, Argentina/Italy/Netherlands/Spain, 2004 550 57. Y tu mamá también Alfonso Cuarón, Mexico, 2001 537 58. Brokeback Mountain Ang Lee, U.S., 2005 537 59. Children of Men Alfonso Cuarón, Japan/U.K./U.S., 2006 537 60. Ten Abbas Kiarostami, France/Iran/U.S., 2002 527 61. Silent Light Carlos Reygadas, Mexico/France/Netherlands, 2007 527 62. La ciénaga Lucrecia Martel, Argentina/Spain, 2001 511 63. L’Enfant Jean-Pierre & Luc Dardenne, Belgium/France, 2005 511 64. Star Spangled to Death Ken Jacobs, U.S., 2004 508 65. Flight of the Red Balloon Hou Hsiao-hsien, Taiwan/France, 2008 498 66. RR James Benning, U.S., 2007 491 67. The House of Mirth Terence Davies, U.K./France/Germany/U.S., 2000 484 68. 25th Hour Spike Lee, U.S. 2002 469 69. 35 Shots of Rum Claire Denis, France/Germany, 2008 460 70. Summer Hours Olivier Assayas, France, 2009 453 71. The Host Bong Joon-ho, South Korea, 2007 441 72. Adaptation Spike Jonze, U.S., 2002 438 73. Lost in Translation Sofia Coppola, U.S./Japan, 2003 435 74. Gerry Gus Van Sant, U.S., 2002 433 75. Private Fears in Public Places Alain Resnais, France/Italy, 2006 430 76. My Winnipeg Guy Maddin, Canada, 2007 430 77. Punch-Drunk Love P.T. Anderson, U.S., 2002 426 78. Fat Girl Catherine Breillat, France/Italy, 2001 422 79. The Departed Martin Scorsese, U.S./Hong Kong, 2006 422 80. Far from Heaven Todd Haynes, U.S./France, 2002 421 81. Donnie Darko Richard Kelly, U.S., 2001 413 82. Moolaadé Ousmane Sembene, Burkina Faso/Morocco/Tunisia/Cameroon/France, 2004 410 83. Woman on the Beach Hong Sang-soo, South Korea, 2006 407 84. Memories of Murder Bong Joon-ho, South Korea, 2003 405 85. West of the Tracks Wang Bing, China, 2003 398 86. Wendy and Lucy Kelly Reichardt, U.S., 2008 395 87. Trouble Every Day Claire Denis, France/Germany/Japan, 2001 390 88. Femme Fatale Brian De Palma, U.S./France, 2002 386 89. Songs from the Second Floor Roy Andersson, Sweden, 2000 386 90. Letters from Iwo Jima Clint Eastwood, U.S., 2006 379 91. Gran Torino Clint Eastwood, U.S., 2008 375 92. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Andrew Dominik, U.S., 2007 374 93. Last Days Gus Van Sant, U.S., 2005 368 94. The Man Without a Past Aki Kaurismäki, Finland/Germany/France, 2002 368 95. When the Levees Broke Spike Lee, U.S. 2006 360 96. The Best of Youth Marco Tullio Giordana, Italy, 2003 358 97. Turning Gate Hong Sang-soo, South Korea 2002 356 98. 24 City Jia Zhangke, China/Hong Kong/Japan, 2008 352 99. In the City of Sylvia José Luis Guerín, Spain/France, 2007 352 100. The White Ribbon Michael Haneke, Austria/Germany/France/Italy, 2009 348
Participants: Gilbert Adair, Sam Adams, Florence Almozini, Thom Andersen, Melissa Anderson, Dudley Andrew, Geoff Andrew, David Ansen, Álvaro Arroba, Anjelika Artyukh, Michael Atkinson, Miriam Bale, Alberto Barbera, Michael Barker, Margaret Barton-Fumo, Jeanine Basinger, Marjorie Baumgarten, Raymond Bellour, Michael Berry, Stig Björkman, Livia Bloom, Frédéric Bonnaud, Nicole Brenez, Richard Brody, Andrew Bujalski, Joumane Chahine, Michael Chaiken, Andrew Chan, Chris Chang, Tom Charity, Paolo Cherchi Usai, Godfrey Cheshire, Li Cheuk-to, Ian Christie, Michel Ciment, Jem Cohen, Richard Combs, Mark Cousins, Noah Cowan, David Cox, Travis Crawford, Gary Crowdus, Doug Cummings, Giulia D’Agnolo Vallan, Mike D’Angelo, Evan Davis, Michel Demopoulos, Arnaud Desplechin, Sam Di Iorio, Anton Dolin, Lisa Dombrowski, Bilge Ebiri, Cheryl Eddy, David Edelstein, David Fear, Leslie Felperin, Paul Fileri, Richard Foreman, Scott Foundas, Lizzie Francke, Patrick Friel, Roger Garcia, Leonardo García-Tsao, Charlotte Garson, Susan Gerhard, John Gianvito, Eugène Green, Stefan Grissemann, Larry Gross, Haden Guest, Tom Gunning, Howard Hampton, Piers Handling, Molly Haskell, Shigehiko Hasumi, Sandra Hebron, Eugene Hernandez, J. Hoberman, Zdenek Holy, Travis Hoover, Bill Horrigan, Robert Horton, Alexander Horwath, Marcus Hu, Matthew Hubbell, Christoph Huber, Nick James, Jia Zhangke, Thierry Jobin, J.R. Jones, Kristin M. Jones, Kent Jones, Serge Kaganski, Laurence Kardish, Danny Kasman, Laura Kern, Dohoon Kim, Lewis Klahr, Stuart Klawans, Uri Klein, Gabe Klinger, Robert Koehler, Michael Koresky, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Jean-Marc Lalanne, Nathan Lee, Elisabeth Lequeret, Diego Lerer, Jonathan Lethem, Dennis Lim, Phillip Lopate, Jan Lumholdt, Guy Maddin, Adrian Martin, Todd McCarthy, Maitland McDonagh, Mark McElhatten, Don McMahon, Gary Meyer, Olaf Möller, Marco Mueller, Amir Muhammad, Rob Nelson, Katja Nicodemus, Geoffrey O’Brien, Mark Olsen, Damon Packard, Gilberto Perez, Jake Perlin, Vladan Petkovic, Andréa Picard, Tony Pipolo, John Powers, James Quandt, Quintín, Nicolas Rapold, Megan Ratner, Jean-Francois Rauger, Tony Rayns, Carlos Reviriego, Bérénice Reynaud, Jim Ridley, Pierre Rissient, Kong Rithdee, João Pedro Rodrigues, Jonathan Romney, Rachel Rosen, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Joshua Rothkopf, Sukhdev Sandhu, Andrew Sarris, Richard Schickel, Regina Schlagnitweit, Alex Leo Serban, Gene Seymour, Girish Shambu, Josh Siegel, Irma Simanskyte, Alissa Simon, P. Adams Sitney, Gavin Smith, Vivian Sobchak, Chuck Stephens, Bob Strauss, Chris Stults, Daniel Stuyck, Jim Supanick, Amy Taubin, José Teodoro, David Thomson, Kenneth Turan, Keith Uhlich, Noel Vera, Tom Vick, Peter von Bagh, John Waters, Ryan Werner, Brynn White, Donald Wilson, Jessica Winter, Sergio Wolf, Manuel Yáñez Murillo, Genevieve Yue, David Zuckerman
or by mail to Film Comment Decade Readers’ Poll, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, and we’ll print the results in our March/April issue. Deadline: February 12, 2010.
